The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation rose to 5.28 percent in the month of October compared to 5.13 percent in September, as per the data released by Commerce and Industry Ministry. It was at 3.68 percent in October 2017.

The increase in prices in the wholesale index was in contradiction to a fall in Consumer index (CPI) to 3.31 percent in the same month. The reason for the rise is the increase in petrol and diesel prices that hit new highs in September.

WPI for primary articles like cereals, paddy, onions, milk and other food items was up by 1.79 percent in the month under review compared to 3.72 percent in the same period last year.

Inflation in the manufactured products was up to 4.49 percent from 4.22 percent in September. Fuel and power prices rose by 18.44 percent when compared to 16.65 percent in October.