All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural and Rural Labourers – April, 2021
Highlights:
- The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for the month of April, 2021 increased by 6 points each to stand at 1041 (One thousand and forty one) and 1049 (One thousand and forty nine) points respectively.
- The rise in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was mainly due to increase in the food group index (3.97 and 3.74 points respectively) and fuel and light group index (1.19 and 1.15 points respectively) owing to the rise in the prices of rice, wheat-atta, maize, jowar, ragi, mustard oil and meat goat, vegetables and fruits, firewood and kerosene etc.
- Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL decreased to 2.66% and 2.94% in April, 2021 from 2.78% and 2.96%respectively in March, 2021.
- Similarly, the inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL declined to (+) 1.24% & (+) 1.54% respectively in April, 2021 from (+) 1.66% & (+) 1.86% respectively in March, 2021.
- Amongst states:
- The maximum increase in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was experienced by West Bengal State (+17 points and +18 points respectively).
- The maximum decrease in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers was experienced by Andhra Pradesh State and for Rural Labourersit was experienced by Andhra Pradesh & Tripura States (-4 points each).
The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for the month of April, 2021increasedby 6points each to stand at 1041 (One thousand and forty-one) and 1049 (One thousand and forty nine) points respectively. The major contribution towards the rise in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers came from food with (+) 3.97 points and (+) 3.74 points respectively mainly due to rise in prices of rice, jowar, fish fresh, vegetables and fruits etc.
The rise/fall in index varied from State to State. In case of Agricultural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 1to17 points in 16States and a decrease of 1 to 4 points in4 States. Tamil Nadu State with 1249 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 813 points stood at the bottom.
In case of Rural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 18 points in 17States and a decrease of 1 to 4 points in 3States.Tamil Nadu State with 1233 points topped the index table whereas Bihar State with 851 points stood at the bottom.
Amongst states, the maximum increase in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was experienced by west Bengal State(+17 points and +18 points respectively)mainly due to rise in the prices of rice, mustard oil,firewood, kerosene oil, vegetables and fruits etc. On the contrary, the maximum decrease in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers was experienced by Andhra Pradesh State and for Rural Labourersitwas experienced by Andhra Pradesh & Tripura States (-4 points each) mainly due to fall in the prices of rice, onion, tamarind, saree cotton mill, vegetables and fruits etc.
Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL decreased to 2.66% and 2.94% in April, 2021 from 2.78% and 2.96%respectively in March, 2021. Inflation based on food index ofCPI-AL and CPI-RL is at (+)1.24% & (+) 1.54% respectively in April, 2021.
1. All-India Consumer Price Index Number (General & Group-wise):
| Group | Agricultural Labourers | Rural Labourers | ||
| March,2021 | April,2021 | March,2021 | April,2021 | |
| General Index | 1035 | 1041 | 1043 | 1049 |
| Food | 977 | 983 | 984 | 990 |
| Pan, Supari, etc. | 1790 | 1802 | 1802 | 1815 |
| Fuel & Light | 1111 | 1125 | 1106 | 1120 |
| Clothing, Bedding &Footwear | 1046 | 1053 | 1062 | 1068 |
| Miscellaneous | 1088 | 1094 | 1091 | 1097 |
Speaking about the latest index, Shri Santosh Gangwar, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment has said that the increase in CPI-AL and RL will have a positive impact on the wages of millions of workers in rural sector.”
Shri DPS Negi, Director General of Labour Bureau while releasing the index said the increase in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers is mainly on account of increase in the prices of rice, wheat-atta, maize, jowar, ragi, mustard oil, meat goat, vegetables and fruits, firewood and kerosene etc”. He further said that “the increase in the index numbers is in line with the price indices being compiled by other government agencies”.
The CPI – AL and RL for the month ofMay, 2021 will be released on 18thJune, 2021.
