SPI-based inflation up 7.56 percent

The SPI-based inflation is 7.56 percent up on week ending August 9 over the same period last year with wheat flour dearer by 11.82 percent and rice basmati 53.51 percent. The inflation has been 9.48 percent for the low-income group as compared to 5.38 percent earning over Rs 12,000 per month.
The date released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) on Saturday showed no sign of relief for the poor as the prices of core kitchen items have been increasing regularly. The perpetual rise in the prices of essential kitchen items have been eroding the budget of those who are earning between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000.
The cooking oil was 27.60 percent dearer over last year, wheat 9.25 percent and vegetable ghee 27.84 percent. The regular increase in the prices of core food items such as wheat, cooking oil, pulses and milk have been disturbing the budget of the poor.
Moreover, there has been no check on prices varying from market to marker resulting in disputes among vendors and buyers. The section in the local government system that provides a mechanism to regulate the market prices was flatly ignored.
The SPI inflation has been recorded 157.61 percent on August 9, 0.63 percent up against 156.62 over last week. The low-income group was more affected by the price-hike, as inflation was recorded 9.48 percent for Rs 3,000 earner against 5.38 percent for those earning above Rs 12000.
The week under review shows that price-hike was 9.48 percent for people earning between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5000 and 8.20 percent for those earning between Rs 5,001 and Rs 12,000. The SPI bulletin, based on data collected for about 53 items from 17 centres showed that 21 items registered increase, 10 items declined, while 22 remained unchanged.
Further analysis of the data showed that 19 items were dearer by double digits over last year. These included masoor pulse washed 32.19 percent, red chillies 75.73 percent, milk powdered 30.06 percent, mustard oil 32.83 percent, veg ghee tin 27.84 percent, cooking oil tin 27.60 percent, cooked dal plate 11.06 percent, veg ghee loose 37.94 percent, milk fresh 13.77 percent.
The prices of egg is 22.23 percent dearer over the last year, wheat flour 11.82 percent, rice basmati 53.51 percent and curd 12.80 percent, rice Irri 39.37 percent, cooked-beef plate 10.88 percent and sandal gents Bata 25.06 percent. Among these items, in a short span of one week, the prices of tomatoes went up 16.78 percent up, onions 12.42 percent, chickens 5.22 percent, breads plan mid-size 2.95 percent and potatoes 3.60 percent.