IANS | 21 Nov, 2023
Inflationary risks continue to persist keeping the Centre and the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on high alert, according to the finance
ministry's monthly economic report for October released on Tuesday.
However, a decline in international crude oil prices will help control inflationary pressures going forward, the report states.
The
country’s retail inflation in October slowed to a four-month low of
4.87 per cent, falling closer to the RBI’s target of 4 per cent.
The
average price of India’s crude oil imports works out to $83.93 a barrel
in November so far, down from $90.08 a barrel in October, official
figures show.
"The decline in international crude oil prices and
continued moderation in core inflation are likely to control
inflationary pressures going forward," the monthly report states.
Core inflation, which excludes food and fuel prices, fell to 4.3 per cent in October from 4.5 per cent in September.
The
monthly report said that the Reserve Bank of India, which has kept key
interest rates on hold for four consecutive policy meetings, has
indicated that any further tightening of monetary policy will only occur
"if the situation warrants."
However, food inflation has remained
elevated at 6.61 per cent and both finance ministry officials and RBI
governor have highlighted risks from a spike in food prices.
Global
trade is expected to be under pressure owing to a declining world
merchandise trade volume as reflected in the WTO's October 2023 Global
Trade Outlook and Statistics. Higher imports of oil and gold and the
slowdown in exports pushed India's trade deficit in October to a record
high.