Food prices rise by 15%

Among the food items, only edible oils have registered a decline in prices, while the prices of all other products are on rise.

According to consumer affairs ministry, rice prices rose to Rs 1,740 a quintal in Delhi for the week ended on September 23, up by just 2.94 per cent, while the inflation data showed that prices soared by 17.18 per cent year-on-year for the week ended September 26.

The wholesale prices of sugar, which is being retailed at Rs 34-35 a kg for quite sometime, rose by 42.69 per cent during the review period, says the inflation data.While the consumer affairs ministry says that sugar price increased by 61.84 per cent.

Potato prices ruled at Rs 1,562 a quintal, up by 95.25 per cent as per the consumer affairs ministry data, though the inflation data has put the hike at 81.19 per cent.

Interestingly, an year-on-year comparison of prices shows that the current spurt in onion and potato prices is not due to the seasonal factor.

Their rates were not only lower during week ended on September 26 last year, but also had declined by 34 per cent and 19 per cent respectively.