Inflation slips to 3.45

Lower prices of fruits, vegetables and textile products cooled down inflation to 3.45 per cent for the week ended December 15, against 3.65 per cent in the previous week. But high oil and food prices in the international market are still a cause for concern.

The wholesale price based index stood at 5.73 per cent in the corresponding week last year. During the week ended December 15, prices of fruits and vegetables declined by 2 per cent, while those of textile items fell by 5.9 per cent and cotton yarn by 7.7 per cent, official figures issued showed.

However, prices of poultry chicken went up by 2 per cent and those of urad, condiments and spices by 1 per cent each. The prices of beverages, tobacco, and tobacco products rose by 3.3 per cent.