In India, the All-India Consumer Price Index Number for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers, with a base of 1986-87=100, saw an increase in the month of May 2023. The index for Agricultural Labourers rose by 6 points, reaching 1186, while the index for Rural Labourers increased by 5 points, reaching 1197. The primary factor contributing to the rise in both indices was the food group, particularly the increase in prices of rice, pulses, milk, meat goat, chillies dry, garlic, ginger, vegetables, and fruits.
Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers:
The index for Agricultural Labourers varied across states, with an increase of 2 to 17 points in 11 states and a decrease of 1 to 5 points in 8 states. Himachal Pradesh remained unchanged. Tamil Nadu topped the index table with 1371 points, while Himachal Pradesh stood at the bottom with 918 points.
Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers:
Similarly, the index for Rural Labourers witnessed an increase of 1 to 17 points in 12 states and a decrease of 1 to 5 points in 7 states. Kerala remained unchanged. In the index table, In the index rankings, Tamil Nadu secured the highest position with 1360 points, whereas Himachal Pradesh occupied the lowest spot with 968 points.
State-wise Variations:
Among the states, Andhra Pradesh experienced the highest increase in the Consumer Price Index for both Agricultural and Rural Labourers, with a rise of 17 points in each category. This increase was primarily due to the higher prices of rice, jowar, ragi, pulses, green/dry chillies, onions, vegetables, and fruits. On the other hand, Assam witnessed the maximum decrease in the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers, while Odisha experienced the maximum decrease in the index for Rural Labourers. These decreases were mainly attributed to the fall in the prices of rice, ragi, mustard oil, fresh fish, onion, and green chillies.
All-India Consumer Price Index Number (General & Group-wise):
| Group | Agricultural Labourers | Rural Labourers | ||
| April 2023 | April 2023 | May 2023 | May, 2023 | |
| General Index | 1180 | 1186 | 1192 | 1197 |
| Food | 1104 | 1112 | 1111 | 1118 |
| Pan, Supari, etc. | 1999 | 1993 | 2008 | 2003 |
| Fuel & Light | 1298 | 1301 | 1290 | 1293 |
| Clothing, Bedding &Footwear | 1252 | 1254 | 1292 | 1294 |
| Miscellaneous | 1256 | 1260 | 1260 | 1265 |
Inflation Rates and Food Inflation:
The point-to-point rate of inflation, based on the CPI for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers, stood at 5.99% and 5.84% in May 2023, respectively. This was compared to 6.50% and 6.52% in April 2023 and 6.67% and 7.00% in May of the previous year. Furthermore, the rate of food inflation in May 2023 was recorded at 6.31% and 6.07%, a decrease from 6.67% and 6.52% in April 2023, and an increase from 5.44% and 5.51% in May of the previous year.
