The general point-to-point inflation rate slightly rose to 7.48 per cent in March from 7.44 per cent in February 2014 compared to 7.71 per cent in March 2013.
The food inflation also marked a slight rise in March to 8.96 per cent from 8.84 per cent in February 2014. However, the non-food inflation rate declined to 5.26 per cent in March, down from 5.37 per cent in February this year.
Director General of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Golam Mostafa Kamal came up with the latest inflation status while releasing the monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) at the BBS auditorium here on Sunday.
He said the food inflation rate slightly went up due to the price hike of rice, pulse, wheat, vegetables, fruits, edible oil, spices and milk powder.
The BBS Director General explained that the prices of food items soared as a section of businessmen tries to recover the losses they incurred during the political unrest ahead of the January-5 parliamentary elections.
Golam Mostafa said the inflation rate is gradually declining from 7.56 per cent in January this year. “We hope the inflation rate will finally come down to the government’s target of 7.20 per cent.” he added.
In urban areas, the general point-to-point inflation rate was 7.98 per cent in February, higher from 7.97 per cent in the previous month. The inflation rate in urban areas is higher than rural areas.
The general point-to-point inflation rate in rural areas was 7.21 per cent in March against 7.17 per cent in February last.
The food inflation in rural areas increased to 8.53 per cent, up from 8.42 per cent in February. The non-food inflation in rural areas was found declining as it was 4.83 per cent in March compared to 4.92 per cent in February 2014.
In urban areas, the food inflation rate slightly increased in March to 9.98 per cent from 9.84 per cent in February.
However, non-food inflation rate in urban areas witnessed downtrend in March as it stood at 5.88 per cent against 5.99 per cent in February 2014.
The point-to-point national wage index rate also went up to 9.41 per cent in March, which was 9.23 per cent in February this year. – UNB
