style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify">The All-India Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base: 1986-87) for April 2012 increased by 8 points each to stand at 633 points for Agricultural Labourers and 634 points for Rural Labourers.

The point-to-point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL increased from 6.84% and 7.19% in March 2012 to 7.84% and 8.01%, respectively in April 2012.

Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL stood at 5.30% and 5.64%, respectively during April 2012.

In all the 20 States, the CPI for Agricultural Labourers recorded an increase which varied between 1 to 18 points. Punjab with 711 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with the index level of 523 points stood at the bottom.

In case of Rural Labourers, CPI recorded an increase between 2 to 16  points in all the 20  States. Punjab with 707 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with the index level of 545 points stood at the bottom.

The CPI for Agricultural and Rural Labourers in respect of Punjab registered the maximum increase of 18 points and  16 points, respectively mainly due to increase in the prices of wheat Atta, Vanaspati, Milk, Onion, Vegetables & Fruits, Gur and Washing Soap.