Fuel price hikes add to inflation

. IMF projects 7.2% inflation this fiscal year, up from its earlier 6.3% estimate. PHOTO: PIXABAY Despite the postponement of the long march, the threat of protests continuing to hang over the situation, coupled with higher petrol and diesel prices, has prevented the inflationary storm from subsiding, while vegetable prices have also started rising sharply. In the open market, milk is being sold at Rs250 to Rs260 per litre, yoghurt at Rs280 to Rs300 per kilogramme, gram pulse at Rs370 per kilogramme, white chickpeas at Rs410, red beans at Rs500, loose tea leaves at Rs2,000 per kilogramme, sugar at Rs160, flour at Rs170 per kilogramme, chicken at Rs600 per kilogramme, mutton at Rs2,700 and beef at Rs1,500 per kilogramme. Potatoes are selling at Rs50 per kilogramme, onions at Rs250, tomatoes at Rs150, peas at Rs500 per kilogramme, carrots at Rs150, okra at Rs200, bitter gourd at Rs200, garlic at Rs200, ginger at Rs300 to Rs350, ridge gourd at Rs200 and cucumber at Rs130 per kilogramme.