In February 2023, retail inflation for agricultural and rural employees rose to 6.94% and 6.87%, respectively, as a result of increases in the costs of medicines, medical services, and transportation, among other things, according to an official statement. According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the point-to-point inflation rates for the CPI-AL (consumer price index for agricultural labourers) and CPI-RL (rural labourers) in February 2022 were 5.59 percent and 5.94 percent, respectively.
In January 2023, the CPI-AL and CPI-RL measured inflation at 6.85 percent and 6.88 percent, respectively. The CPI-AL and CPI-RL for the entire country of India both grew by 1 point to 1,171 and 1,182, respectively. The miscellaneous category exerted the most upward pressure on the general index of AL and RL, adding 0.93 and 0.98 points, respectively, primarily as a result of increases in the costs of prescription drugs, doctor’s visits, haircuts, bus fares, laundry services, movie tickets, etc., it added.
The maximum increase in the CPI numbers for agricultural and rural workers was experienced in Gujarat (8 points each) mainly due to the rise in the prices of rice, wheat-atta, jowar, pulses, vegetables & fruits, firewood, etc. On the contrary, the maximum decrease in the CPI numbers for both labourers was experienced by Assam (7 points each) mainly due to fall in the prices of fish-fresh, chillies green, vegetables & fruits, etc.