The Retail Price Index went up to 101.44 from 100.43 in April, the NSO said this morning. This primarily reflected an increase of 3.72 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly due to seasonal price rises in garments.
The Transport and Communication Index registered an increase of 2.92 per cent, mainly on account of higher airfares. Higher fees for recreational services moved the Recreation and Culture Index up by 0.80 per cent.
The Housing Index registered a growth of 0.28 per cent, mainly on account of higher prices for various construction works. A rise in the prices of served beverages underlay an increase of 0.18 per cent in the Beverages and Tobacco Index. An upward movement in the prices of medicines caused the Personal Health and Care Index to go up by 0.15 per cent.
The Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index went up by 0.06 per cent, reflecting mainly more expensive household appliances.
Lower prices of fruit brought about a fall of 0.08 per cent in the Food Index. The Other Goods and Services Index decreased by 0.06 per cent, mainly because of lesser-priced non-durable household goods.
In April, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 1.03 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 1.18 per cent.