WPI deflation stays for 15th month, rises to 0.9% in Jan

Deflationary pressure persisted for the 15th month in a row as inflation at the wholesale level slipped to (-)0.9 per cent in January with some food articles turning less expensive. Although in the negative zone since November 2014, it had started showing a rising trend in the past four months - from last September.

The Wholesale Price Index-based inflation was (-)0.73 per cent in December. In January 2015, it was (-)0.95 per cent. As per the official data released on Monday, food inflation stood at 6.02 per cent in January as against 8.17 per cent in December.

Expressing concern over continued deflationary pressure, industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Ficci) said that the Government should increase public spending in the forthcoming budget to boost demand.