Inflation rate nears 6 percent

KATHMANDU, March 11: According to the latest statistics of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the inflation rate of Nepal was 5.97 percent in Magh ( Jan/Feb).  Last year, the inflation rate was only 2.70 percent during the same period. Inflation hits 6 percent in food and beverage while non-food inflation has reached 5.96 percent , according to NRB. In contrast to the inflation rate in the Magh last year to this year, the inflation in butter and oil, vegetable and pulses were 20.68 percent, 14.07 percent and 9.36 percent respectively. Likewise, inflation in transportation, education and furnishing and household items stood at 15.87 percent, 7.86 percent and 5.92 percent respectively. On the regional basis, the inflation rate stands at 5.47 percent in Kathmandu Valley, 6.50 percent in Terai, 5.32 in Hilly and 5.97 percent in Himalayan region.