NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

The Government has unveiled a National Consumer Price Index which reflects the changing lifestyles of both rural and urban consumers. The new CPI incorporates the price of serveral key services including telephone bills, education and recreation.  According to the Government, the new CPI for rural, urban and combined will be released in February.

The highest share of wallet being food is common for both the urban and rural consumers - though a rural consumers spends more than 50% of his income on food. Medical care and Fuel & Lighting also take a higher proportion of the rural consumer's wallet.