RBI's easy policy under pressure as companies worry about rising inflation

A clutch of Indian companies have turned increasingly vocal about their inflation concerns, setting the stage for raising prices that could test the central bank’s resolve to keep borrowing costs lower for longer to support the economy.

Companies from Hindustan Unilever Ltd., the Indian arm of Unilever Plc, to Nestle India Ltd. have pointed to profit-squeeze from higher input costs and supply chain strains, while the likes of Dabur India Ltd., a maker of packaged honey and hair oil, and Britannia Industries Ltd. have already passed on some of the increased costs to consumers.

That could see India’s headline inflation