Inflation continues to look up‚ at 10.2pc

Kathmandu, April 17- Inflation increased by 10.2 percent in mid-March 2013 compared to 7 percent a year ago, Nepal Rastra Bank said.

According to central bank, the index of food and beverage group increased by 11.3 percent and non-food and services group by 9.3 percent in mid-March while these indices had increased by 4.2 percent and 9.4 percent respectively in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Region-wise, the inflation rose at 10.8 percent in Kathmandu valley followed by 10.2 percent in Terai and 9.6 percent in the hills in the review month while these increments were up by 5.6 percent, 7.1 percent and 8.6 percent respectively in the corresponding month of the previous year.

The y-o-y wholesale price index increased by 9.0 percent during the review month compared to a rise of 6.3 percent in the corresponding month of the previous year. A higher rate of growth in prices of agricultural commodities accounted for a significant rise in wholesale price inflation during the review month.

Similarly, the y-o-y salary and wage rate index increased by 7.8 percent during the review month compared to an increase of 27.6 percent a year ago.

Within the salary and wage rate index, the salary index remained unchanged during the review month compared to an increase of 19.3 percent in the corresponding month of the previous year. The wage rate index increased by 9.6 percent during the review month compared to a rise of 29.8 percent in corresponding month a year ago.

The indices of wages of agricultural labourers, construction labourers and industrial labourers increased by 12.5 percent, 6.3 percent and 4.7 percent respectively during the review month while these indices had increased by 27.1 percent, 34.1 percent and 34.3 percent respectively in the corresponding month of the previous year.