Food inflation rose to 9 percent in December, with the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics blaming it on the current political turmoil. Non-food inflation however edged down in December compared to the previous month.
The overall inflation in December rose to 7.35 percent on a point-to-point basis from 7.15 percent in November. The average inflation for 2013 stood at 7.53 percent, which was 6.35 percent in 2012.Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) revealed the latest figures at a media briefing on Tuesday. “Food inflation rose in December due to political instability. Transportation suffered seriously due to the political turmoil and that impacted on the inflation,” said BBS Director General Golam Mostafa Kamal.
According to the BBS, food inflation on a point-to-point basis increased to 9 percent in December from 8.55 percent in November.
However, non-food inflation slipped to 4.88 percent from 5.08 percent. The current 2013-14 fiscal’s budget aims to contain average inflation at 7.5 percent.
The average inflation in the 12 months of 2013 stands at 7.53 percent. “Food commodities can’t come to Dhaka from rural areas during blockade and strikes. The same happens for non-food commodities; it can’t reach different parts of the country,and that impacts on inflation “, the BBS chief said on Tuesday.
The country has been witnessing waves of blockades and strikes called by Opposition since Nov 26, during which only weekly and public holidays are exempted.
More than a hundred people have died in violence across the country during the Opposition agitation, in which public transport carrying passengers and goods were systematically targeted.
At least 18 were killed in different parts of the country in clashes during Sunday’s election.
Asked whether inflation could touch double-digits,, the BBS Director General said: “I hope that will be not be the case. The food commodity reserve is sufficient. It shouldn’t touch double-digits unless there is a serious crisis of transport.”-bdnews24.com
