New Delhi: If you have been able to come to terms with the new normal times in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, then stay prepared to battle the rise in inflation as well. There is no breather for the common man as the grim situation due to the pandemic seems to have turned worse with the inflation figures heading north. Although there has been no significant change in the prices of other ration items, the price of pulses has gone up significantly.

Compared to 2019, the prices of pulses in Delhi have gone up by 30 to 40 percent this year. However, it is not clear how the prices have increased during the lockdown due to issues in collecting data.

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But there has been not much increase in the price of rice and flour.

Based on the price of pulses in a general store, the pulses rates have gone up by 30 to 40 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. Flour and rice prices have risen by six percent over a year ago. Compared to May-June 2019, the highest price of urad peel increased in May-June in 2020. During this period, it increased by 31.25 percent to Rs 100 to 105 per kg. The price of dal malka rose 25 percent to Rs 75 per kg. However, the price of chana or gram fell by three percent to Rs 62 per kg.

Flour, rice increased by 2 -6 percent. Tea has become five percent more expensive. The price of sugar has remained within the range of Rs 35-36 per kg for the last few years. Inflation based on the May All India Consumer Food Price Indicator was 9.69 percent in rural areas and 8.36 percent in urban areas. Retail inflation stood at 9.28 percent.  However, the Wholesale Price Index declined 3.21 percent year-on-year in May.

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Meanwhile, June’s retail inflation has been recorded at 6.1 percent, and remains significant since the figure was recorded after the economy reopened almost two months post lockdown.

According to the report in The Hindu, the Consumer Price Index exhibits the surge in prices of food and beverages group of an average of 7.3 percent year-on-year increase. It is seen that pulses and products surged 16.7 percent, meat and fish climbed 16.2 percent and milk and its derivatives increased 8.4 percent.

The price rise has been most impacted by the sudden disruptions to the supply of goods and services in the wake of the nationwide shutdown but remains a worry as the surge in price gains is visible even as demands remain muted.