Average inflation during 2010-11 to jump up to 9 pc: FinMin

The finance ministry on Monday said the average annual infation during the current fiscal will jump to 9%, which is more than double the figure of 3.8% recorded a year ago.

The finance ministry on Monday said the average annual infation during the current fiscal will jump to 9%, which is more than double the figure of 3.8% recorded a year ago.

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"...the economic advisors tell that we are likely to end the year with 9% (average) inflation for the year 2010-11," Revenue Secretary Sunil Mitra told reporters.

The inflation has been a major concern throughout the year, mainly driven by rising prices of essential food items including onion, other vegetables, fruit and milk.

Last fiscal, wholesale price inflation stood at 3.8%, Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena had said.

The year 2010-11 started with inflation of 9.59% in April, which went into double digit for the month of May and June at 10.16% and 10.55%, respectively.

Adding to the woes of the government, the overall inflation in December stood at 8.43%, mainly due to rising food prices.

The contribution of food inflation to overall inflation could be gauged from the fact that 'manufactured' inflation, in fact, came down to 4.46% in December from 4.56% in the previous month.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had said the current rate of inflation is "unacceptably high". He also discussed the issue with state finance ministers on January 19 this year.

Both Finance Ministry and Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council expect wholesale price inflation to be around 7% by March-end.