The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released Discussion Paper 2.0 on incorporating free Public Distribution System (PDS) items into the Consumer Price Index (CPI) compilation framework, as part of the ongoing base revision of the CPI. The revision aims to enhance price collection coverage, refine methodologies, explore new data sources, and leverage modern technology for price collection and index compilation.

Following the launch of the government’s free food grain distribution scheme on January 1, 2023, covering 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population, the ministry recognized the need to accurately reflect this initiative in CPI and inflation measurements. The issue was extensively discussed with national and international experts, the Reserve Bank of In

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