Food inflation rises to 9.46% for week ended Dec 4

Food inflation rose to 9.46 per cent for the week ended December 4 on account of higher prices of rice, vegetables, milk and fruits.

It stood at 8.60 per cent in the previous week. This is the second consecutive-week when the figures have increased.

The data came just half an hour before the Reserve Bank of India's mid-quarterly review of the monetary policy on Thursday, where it is expected to take stock of the inflation situation and decide on an appropriate course of action.

While prices of rice rose 1.47 per cent, those of vegetables rose 1 per cent, milk 17.76 per cent and fruits 19.75 per cent on an annual basis, pulses and wheat prices declined 4.24 per cent and 11.46 per cent, respectively.

In addition, the fuel and power product index rose 10.67 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

Furthermore, onions became costlier by 29.93 per cent on an annual basis.

Meanwhile, overall inflation declined to 7.48 per cent in November from 8.58 per cent in the previous month.