Kathmandu. Price rise has come down in recent times. According to Nepal Rastra Bank( NRB), the annual consumer inflation stood at 2.72 per cent till Mid-May. It was 4.17 percent in the same period last year.

Inflation in the food and beverages category stood at 0.54 per cent and that in the non-food and services category at 3.94 per cent. Inflation in these groups was 5.85 per cent and 3.07 per cent, respectively, in the same period last year.

The annual point-to-point consumer price index (CPI) of ghee and oil sub-group of food and beverages group increased by 10.06 per cent, non-alcoholic beverages by 5.13 per cent, fruits by 3.51 per cent and pulses and beans by 2.85 per cent.

The annual point-wise consumer price index of vegetables sub-group declined by 7.04 per cent, spices by 3.06 per cent and fish and meat by 2.91 per cent. Under the non-food and services group, the annual point-wise consumer price index of various goods and services sub-groups increased by 9.43 percent, textiles and footwear by 6.82 percent, education by 5.88 percent, furnishing and household appliances by 5.06 percent and tobacco products by 4.68 percent.

In May, the annual point-wise consumer price index of rural areas increased by 2.90 percent and the annual point-wise consumer price index in urban areas increased by 2.66 percent. Province-wise, the annual point-wise consumer inflation of Koshi Province was 4.18 percent, Madhes Province 2.52 percent, Bagmati Province 2.29 percent, Gandaki Province 1.75 percent, Lumbini Province 2.39 percent, Karnali Province 2.54 percent and Sudurpaschim Province 3.86 percent.

The annual point-to-point consumer inflation in The Kathmandu Valley was 2.73 per cent, 2.58 per cent in the Terai, 2.48 per cent in the hills and 4.18 per cent in the Himalayas.