The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for the month of August, 2020 increased by 5 points each to stand at 1026 (One thousand and twenty six) and 1033 (One thousand and thirty three) points respectively. The major contribution towards the rise in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers came from food, with (+) 5.05 points and (+) 4.51 points respectively mainly due to rise in prices of arhar dal, masur dal, ground nut oil, mustard oil,  vegetables and fruits etc.

The rise/fall in index varied from State to State. In case of Agricultural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 27 points in 16 States and a decrease of 3 to 6 points in 3 States while it remained stationary in Odisha State. Tamil Nadu State with 1229 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 793 points stood at the bottom.

In case of Rural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 2 to 28 points in 15 States and a decrease of 1 to 8 points in 4 States while it remained stationary isn Odisha State. Tamil Nadu State with 1212 points topped the index table whereas Bihar State with 845 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 (+27 points and +28 points respectively) mainly due to rise in the prices of wheat-atta, pulses, mustard-oil, milk, chillies-green, ginger, country liquor, firewood, bidi, meat goat, fish dry, bidi, bus fare, vegetables and fruits etc. On the contrary, the maximum decrease in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was experienced by Kerala State (-6 points and -8 points respectively) mainly due to fall in the prices of pulses, coconut oil, chillies-dry, onion, fish fresh etc.

Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL decreased to 6.32% and 6.28% in August, 2020 from 6.58% and 6.53% respectively in July, 2020. Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL is at (+) 7.76% & (+) 7.83% respectively in August, 2020.

1. All-India Consumer Price Index Number (General & Group-wise)

2. The CPI – AL and RL for the month of September, 2020 will be released on 20^th October, 2020.

Speaking about the latest index, Shri Santosh Gangwar, Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment said,  “The continued softening of inflation in succession for seven months may be mainly attributed to the relief measures announced by the Govt. to help poor people including labourers during the COVID-19 pandemic.” He added that “The increase in the index will have a positive impact on the wages of millions of workers working in the unorganized sector in rural areas.”

Shri DPS Negi, Director General of Labour Bureau while releasing the index said “Labour Bureau has been able to bring out the monthly indices as per the pre-defined schedule consistently even during the tough time of COVID-19.”

The CPI – AL and RL for the month of September, 2020 will be released on 20th October, 2020.

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RCJ/IA