CPI stands at 4% in August

The inflation level based on the all-India Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Urban Non-Manual Employees (UNME), was 4 per cent in August 2004.

The index, with base 1984-85=100 "" which measures the actual cost of living for urban non-industrial workers "" was 437 in August, 2004 as against 434 in July 2004 and 420 in August 2003.

The figures released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) show that at the group level, the indices for "food beverages & tobacco" and "fuel & light" groups in August, 2004 rose by 5 points as compared to July 2004.

Of the 59 urban centres for which data was collected, the increase was above 6 per cent in case of seven centres while it ranged from 4 to 6 per cent in case of 19 centres.

The inflation level based on the CPI-UNME was between 2 to 4 per cent in 26 centres and between 1 to 2 per cent in 7 centres.

As many as 33 centres reported lower annual percentage increase as compared to that of the All-India figure of 4.0 percent while 26 centres have recorded a higher percentage increase as compared to the All-India average.

Among the four metros, the inflation rate was highest in Mumbai, where the price level went up by 5.6 per cent between August 2003 and August 2004.

In Delhi, the increase was 5.2 per cent, in Kolkata 5 per cent and in Chennai 3.8 per cent.