On November 17, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reacted to a netizen's call for assistance for the country's middle class despite growing inflation and costs. In response to one of Sitharaman's tweets on X (previously known as Twitter), social media user Tushar Sharma made a "heartfelt request" to her. He said: "@nsitharaman. We really appreciate your efforts and services to the country, and you have our full appreciation. I sincerely urge that you consider offering some relief to the middle class. I recognize the enormous hurdles involved, but it is just a genuine plea."
Sitharaman replied warmly to Sharma's article, praising him for admitting the issues and noting that the central government is "responsive."
“Thank you for your kind words and your understanding. I recognise and appreciate your concern. PM @narendramodi‘s government is a responsive government. Listens and attends to people’s voices. Thanks once again for your understanding. Your input is valuable,” Sitharaman said.
Wholesale Inflation Reaches Four-Month Peak
India's wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation reached a four-month high of 2.36 per cent in October, driven by rising food prices, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's provisional data. A Reuters poll predicted a 2.2 per cent inflation rate in the month, up from 1.84 per cent in September. Food price inflation, a major contributor to the index, rose by 11.59 per cent annually, compared to a 9.47 per cent gain in September and 3.21 per cent in August. Elevated food prices also pushed India's retail inflation to a 14-month high of 6.21 per cent.
Cereal prices increased 7.9 per cent in October compared to last year, while non-food article prices declined 1.71 per cent annually. Fuel and power prices fell 5.79 per cent annually, while crude petroleum and natural gas prices fell 12.16 per cent annually. Manufacturing product prices rose 1.5 per cent annually in October, compared to a 1 per cent rise in the previous month.
