Chief statistician Pronab Sen today said inflation, which eased marginally to 9.59 per cent in April, could cool down further in coming months, but the price rise may spread to non-food items.
“Inflation is more or less on expected lines. Fear of inflation spreading from food to other sectors is still there. It will take a little bit of more time for it to come down. I hope inflation would be on declining trend hereafter,” Mr. Sen told reporters here.
According to monthly inflation data released today, iron and steel prices rose by 11.40 per cent in April compared to March.
Similarly, basic metals alloys and metal products were 6.72 per cent more expensive in April compared to March.
Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council Chairman C. Rangarajan said the trend shows that inflation will cool down.
“I think the trend of inflation is to soften,” he said.
The Reserve Bank projected inflation to come down to 5.5 per cent in March this year from 9.9 per cent a year ago.
