All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural and Rural Labourers

The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) (Base: 1986-87=100) saw an increase of 11 points each in June 2024, reaching 1280 and 1292, respectively. The year-on-year inflation rates based on CPI-AL and CPI-RL were 7.02% and 7.04%, respectively, compared to 6.31% and 6.16% in June 2023. For May 2024, these rates were 7.00% for CPI-AL and 7.02% for CPI-RL.

Group-Wise Index for May and June 2024

Group	Agricultural Labourers	Rural Labourers
	May, 2024	June, 2024
General Index	1269	1280
Food	1205	1220
Pan, Supari, etc.	2058	2060
Fuel & Light	1351	1342
Clothing, Bedding & Footwear	1296	1300
Miscellaneous	1339	1343

Index Movement in January 2024

The indices for CPI-AL and CPI-RL increased by 1 point each in January 2024, standing at 1258 and 1268, respectively. The major contributors to the rise in the general index were the miscellaneous group (1.57 and 1.55 points for CPI-AL and CPI-RL) and the fuel and light group (1.16 and 1.10 points). This increase was primarily due to higher prices for items such as medicines, doctors’ fees, barber charges, washing soap, cinema tickets, and firewood.

State-Wise Index Variations

For both CPI-AL and CPI-RL, there was a mixed trend across states. In the case of CPI-AL, 9 states saw an increase of 1 to 10 points, 10 states experienced a decrease of 1 to 5 points, and 1 state remained unchanged. Tamil Nadu topped the CPI-AL index with 1470 points, while Himachal Pradesh was at the bottom with 970 points. Similarly, CPI-RL recorded increases in 9 states (1 to 10 points), decreases in 10 states (1 to 5 points), and no change in 1 state. Andhra Pradesh led the CPI-RL index with 1454 points, whereas Himachal Pradesh stood at the bottom with 1020 points.

Inflation Rates

The point-to-point rate of inflation based on CPI-AL and CPI-RL was 7.52% and 7.37% in January 2024, compared to 7.71% and 7.46% in December 2023, and 6.85% and 6.88% in January 2023. Food inflation stood at 9.67% and 9.43% in January 2024, compared to 9.95% and 9.80% in December 2023, and 6.61% and 6.47% in January 2023.

Upcoming Release

The CPI-AL and CPI-RL data for February 2024 will be released on March 20, 2024.