New Delhi, September 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Congress on Monday criticised the Centre over the continued rise in wholesale inflation, saying higher prices of essential commodities and declining real wages were placing additional pressure on households.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said the latest official data showed wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation had remained around 10 per cent for four consecutive months.
“Prices of all essential commodities have continued their upward rise, causing huge hardships to crores of families,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
Citing data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), he claimed inflation-adjusted wages had declined consistently, with a 5.7 per cent fall since April. He said rural India had recorded an even sharper 9 per cent decline and alleged that rural wages had fallen even in nominal terms.
“The PM keeps saying everything is good, but actually everything is more expensive,” Ramesh said.
According to government data released on Monday, India’s WPI inflation rose to 9.92 per cent in August from 9.78 per cent in July. Food inflation increased to 7.05 per cent from 6.65 per cent, while inflation in manufactured products rose to a series high of 8.37 per cent from 8.29 per cent.
Global crude oil and fertiliser prices have also added to inflationary pressures amid the continuing West Asia conflict and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, retail inflation based on the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series rose to 4.82 per cent in August. Silver jewellery recorded a 107.11 per cent increase in prices, while gold jewellery prices rose 35.55 per cent.
Retail inflation remains within the Reserve Bank of India’s 2-6 per cent tolerance band, with 4 per cent as the midpoint.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra has said headline inflation had moved above the target primarily because of higher fuel prices, while broader price pressures remained under control. The RBI retained the repo rate at the latest monetary policy review to support economic growth.
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