The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for the month of October, 2020 increased by 15 points and 14 points to stand at 1052 (One thousand and fifty two) and 1057 (One thousand and fifty seven) points respectively. The major contribution towards the rise in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers came from food, with (+) 12.90 points and (+) 12.20 points respectively mainly due to rise in prices of arhar dal, onion, mustard oil, vegetables and fruits etc.
The rise in index varied from State to State. In case of Agricultural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 24 points in 20 States. Tamil Nadu State with 1242 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 830 points stood at the bottom.
In case of Rural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 24 points in 20 States. Tamil Nadu State with 1226 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 877 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 (+24 points) mainly due to rise in the prices of rice, pulses, mustard-oil, milk, onion, chillies-green, bus fare, vegetables and fruits etc.
Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL increased to 6.59% and 6.45% in October, 2020 from 6.25% and 6.10% respectively in September, 2020. Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL is at (+) 7.96% & (+) 7.92% respectively in October, 2020.
All-India Consumer Price Index Number (General & Group-wise)
| Group | Agricultural Labourers | Rural Labourers | ||
| Sept.,2020 | Oct.,2020 | Sept.,2020 | Oct.,2020 | |
| General Index | 1037 | 1052 | 1043 | 1057 |
| Food | 999 | 1017 | 1004 | 1022 |
| Pan, Supari, etc. | 1694 | 1708 | 1706 | 1721 |
| Fuel & Light | 1090 | 1094 | 1085 | 1089 |
| Clothing, Bedding &Footwear | 1012 | 1016 | 1033 | 1038 |
| Miscellaneous | 1043 | 1051 | 1047 | 1055 |
Speaking about the latest index, Santosh Gangwar, Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment said, “The increase in CPI-AL and RL will have a positive impact on the wages of the workers in rural sector.”
DPS Negi, Director General of Labour Bureau while releasing the index said “The inflation based on CPI-AL and RL has increased marginally for the first time in 2020. This is mainly on account of increase in the prices of arhar dal, mustard oil, onion and vegetables etc”.
Highlights:
- The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for the month of October, 2020 increased by 15 points and 14 points to stand at 1052 (One thousand and fifty two) and 1057 (One thousand and fifty seven) points respectively.
- The rise in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was due to increase in the food group index (+) 12.90 points and (+) 12.20 points respectively owing to the rise in the prices of food items in general and arhar dal, mustard oil, onion and vegetables in particular.
- Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL increased for the first time in the year 2020. It increased to 6.59% and 6.45% in October, 2020 from 6.25% and 6.10% respectively in September, 2020.
- Similarly, the inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL increased to 7.96% & 7.92% in October, 2020 from 7.65% and 7.61% in September 2020.
- Amongst states; the maximum increase in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was experienced by West Bengal State (+24 points).
The CPI – AL and RL for the month of November, 2020 will be released on 18th December, 2020.