Inflation declined marginally to 8.23 per cent in January from 8.43 per cent in the previous month, as prices of certain commodities like wheat, pulses and sugar eased, although essential items like onion and other vegetables continue to remain dearer.
The headline inflation, based on wholesale prices, has remained above 8 per cent-mark since January 2010.
The fall in inflation has been mainly on account of declining prices of sugar (down 14.99 per cent), pulses (12.78 per cent), wheat (4.94 per cent) and potato (1.21 per cent).
However, vegetable and fruits continued to remain expensive. On an annual basis, vegetable prices rose by 65 per cent, and onion prices nearly doubled. Also, fruits became costly by 15.01 per cent and egg, meat and fish by 15.09 per cent.
Overall, primary articles became costly by 17.28 per cent with food articles rising 15.65 per cent.
Special 
