Question : INFLATION

(a) whether in October, 2014 the inflation rate of the retail price index remained 1.77% while the rate of consumer price index remained at 5.52% and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the aforesaid rates declined in comparison to the rates of the past many years, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the prime reasons for this decline in inflation rate is the decline in the price of crude oil in International market; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and steps taken or proposed to be taken thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI JAYANT SINHA)

(a) & (b) The inflation based on Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and Consumer Price Index -New Series (CPI-NS) for October, 2014 were 1.77% and 5.52% respectively. WPI inflation was the lowest since September, 2009 and CPI (NS) inflation was the lowest since the introduction of the series in 2011:

 Period WPI inflation (%)	CPI (NS) inflation (%) 2011-12 8.94 - 2012-13 7.35 10.21 2013-14 5.98 9.49 Apr-14 5.55 8.59 May-14 6.18 8.28 Jun-14 5.66 7.46 Jul-14 5.41 7.96 Aug-14 3.85 7.73 Sep-14 2.38# 6.46 Oct-14 1.77# 5.52# # Provisional data