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The SPI-based inflation has gone up to 11.86 percent on week ending October 18 over the same period of last year, with 13.88 percent dearness for low income groups. The data on weekly SPI released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics depicts vulnerability and helplessness of the income group earning between Rs 3000 to 5000 against persistent increase in the prices of core food items.

Because of the uncontrolled and exorbitant prices of essential kitchen commodities such as onion, tomatoes, potatoes, chicken and even wheat, majority of the people did not have access to food containing required calories for a healthy body. Food experts believe that if unabated food inflation was not checked in time it could become disastrous in the years to come.

The SPI bulletin, based on data collected from 17 urban cities across the country on 53 essential items showed increase in the prices of 24 food items, decrease in 7 items whereas prices of 25 items though remained unchanged yet dearer over the same period of last year.

The FBS has recorded food inflation at 13.88 percent for those earning Rs 3000 and 13.85 percent for those earning between Rs 3000 and Rs 5000 with tomatoes going up to Rs 55 per kg, onion Rs 26, potatoes Rs 20, chicken over Rs 90 per kg.

Over the week, prices of onion increase by 10.57 percent, tomatoes 6.42 percent, potatoes 5.37 percent, chicken 2.34 percent wheat average quality 1,74 percent, making commodity like tomatoes out of the common man's reach. Further analysis of the data showed that price hike was 13.85 percent for those earning Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 and 12.86 percent for those earning between Rs 5001 and Rs 12000.

The combined SPI recorded 163.80 percent on October 11, which shot up to 164.96 percent on October 18, 2007 showing an increase of 0.71 percent. The price hike was recorded at 13.88 percent for Rs 3000 against 9.15 percent for those earning above Rs 12000.

The data showed that onion was 18.38 percent dearer over the same period of last year, wheat flour 23.92 percent, tomatoes 112.93 percent, bath soap 19.53 percent, eggs hen farm 36.65 percent, vegetable ghee loose 42.70 percent, masoor pulse washed 33.76 percent, red chillies 46.33 percent, milk powder 31.70 percent, and rice Irri 46.18 percent. Further analysis of the data showed that 24 items were dearer by double-digit over last year.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2007


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