Inflation continued to inch up touching 9.9 per cent in March, remaining marginally short of touching the psychological double-digit mark barrier even as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said inflationary pressure will continue till June.
What has been significant about last month's inflationary trends is that it has gradually started its spread to non-food items including the manufacturing sector amid signs it could force the Reserve Bank of India to tighten the monetary policy. Inflation in February had touched 9.89 per cent.
Pressure will remain
Talking to reporters, Mr. Mukherjee said that inflationary pressures would remain till June and prices would start cooling only after the harvesting of the rabi crop was complete. The wholesale price-based inflation was at 9.89 per cent in February.
