Inflation eased to 5.2 per cent in April due to drop in prices of food items, providing some space to RBI for cut in key rate at its bi-monthly monetary policy on June 3.
The inflation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), had increased to 5.7 per cent in March from 5.03 in February.
As per the government data released Thursday, the inflation in the overall food segment, including eggs and fish, eased to 8.64 per cent in April, from a high of 9.9 per cent in March.
Although there was increase in potato prices, the overall inflation in the vegetable segment eased to 1.34 per cent from 8.57 per cent in March. Fruits too were marginally costlier in April as compared to the previous month.
Commenting on the data, Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram hoped the declining trend is likely to continue.
“We are encouraged that the inflation numbers are coming down… On the whole at the moment, it appears that we are on track as far as inflation is concerned… (it is) something to smile about,” he told outside Finance Ministry.
The WPI data further showed easing inflation in fuel and power segments as well as the manufactured items group.
Inflation based on Consumer Price index, on the other hand, had shot up to a three-month high of 8.59 per cent.
The RBI considers both the inflation data, along with other economic indicators, while deciding monetary policy.
Amid demand for reduction in key interest rate to boost economy, the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy review on June 3 would be keenly watch.
In April, it had chosen to keep the policy rate (repo) unchanged at 8 per cent in as retail inflation was “sticky”.
Industry chamber FICCI said meanwhile that given the recent increase in the diesel prices and uncertain outlook for monsoon, price movements will have to be critically watched going ahead.
“For the new government this would be the single biggest challenge. We look forward to a comprehensive action plan to tackle this situation,” it said.
