In March 2010, the Retail Price Index went up by 0.57 per cent. This primarily reflected an increase of 4.10 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly due to seasonal price rises in garments. The Transport and Communication Index registered an increase of 0.74 per cent, mainly on account of higher airfares. An upward movement in the prices of dairy products caused the Food Index to go up by 0.58 per cent. The Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index went up by 0.33 per cent, mainly on account of costlier household textiles. Higher prices for materials used in the repair of dwellings underlay an increase of 0.23 per cent in the Housing Index. The Personal Care and Health Index increased by 0.21 per cent, mainly due to higher fees for services related to personal appearance. The Beverages and Tobacco Index increased by 0.11 per cent, mainly due to higher prices for served beverages. The Other Goods and Services Index registered and increase of 0.10 per cent on account of more expensive jewellery items.
Lower prices of audio-visual equipment brought about a fall of 0.54 per cent in the Recreation and Culture Index.
In March, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 1.26 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 0.30 per cent.