The wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation remained negative for the 11th consecutive week since June 6 mainly on high base. It was 12.82 per cent for the corresponding week last year. The rate turned negative for the week ended June 6 for the first time since the new wholesale price index (WPI) series started in 1995.
The inflation rate had last turned negative in 1977. Negative inflation implies that the average wholesale price level was lower during a given week, than it was in the corresponding week a year ago. It does not necessarily reflect retail prices. Both the price indices for primary articles and manufactured products rose.
While the index for primary articles rose 2.1 percent to 268.4 (provisional) from 262.9 (provisional) the week before, the index for manufactured products rose 0.1 percent to 206.4 (provisional) from 206.1 (provisional).
Published 26 August 2009, 15:12 IST