In September 2009, the Retail Price Index went up by 0.45 per cent. This primarily reflected an increase of 7.65 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly on account of seasonal price increases in women’s outerwear. A rise of 0.91 per cent was registered in the Food Index, mainly on account of price increases of fish. The Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index went up by 0.44 per cent, mainly due to a higher price for kerosene. More expensive household appliances caused the Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index to go up by 0.23 per cent. A similar rise was registered in the Personal Care and Health Index, mainly as a result of costlier medicines. Upward shifts in the price of certain jewellery items caused the Other Goods and Services Index to go up by 0.15 per cent. The Housing Index went up by 0.07 per cent, mainly on account of price increases in certain materials used in construction.

The Transport and Communication Index went down by 1.21 per cent, mainly on account of lower fares charged for air transport services. Downward shifts in the prices of audio-visual equipment underlay a decrease of 0.12 per cent in the Recreation and Culture Index.

In September, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 3.46 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 1.18 per cent.

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