Inflation falls to 18-month low

Inflation hit the lowest point in the last 18 months at 2.59 per cent from over seven per cent a year ago.

This was due to a downward trend in the prices of fruits and vegetables, spices and grains, besides fall in commodity prices for the sixth consecutive week.

The Wholesale price Index fell 0.2 per cent to 162.3, compared to 162.6 in the previous week, and 158.2 in the corresponding previous period. Primary articles and manufactured products became cheaper by 0.8 and 0.1 per cent respectively, while the fuel items continued to remain firm for the last few weeks.