SpaceX launches Inmarsat communications satellite from Cape Canaveral

The Inmarsat-5 F4 satellite, built by Boeing, blasted off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida

SpaceX on Monday launched a communications satellite for Inmarsat, marking its first launch for the London-based mobile broadband company.

The Inmarsat-5 F4 satellite, built by Boeing, blasted off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 7:21pm (11.21pm GMT).

“We’ve had confirmation of spacecraft separation,” said a SpaceX commentator about 30 minutes after launch, signalling that the satellite was successfully deployed to a distant, geostationary orbit. “We’ve had good orbits, good separation, all you can ask for today.”

The satellite is the fourth in the company’s Global Xpress (GX) constellation, aimed at providing high-speed mobile broadband service. “Inmarsat, the only operator of a global Ka-band network, created the GX platform to enable communities across the world to benefit from the emerging digital society,” said a company statement.

SpaceX, which is headed by Elon Musk, did not attempt to bring the first stage of the rocket back to Earth for an upright landing following the launch. The payload weighed about 6,100kg, and the force needed to propel it to orbit would not leave enough fuel for the rocket to manoeuvre back to Earth.

What is Ransomware?

What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a form of malicious software that locks up the files on your computer, encrypts them, and demands that you pay to get your files back. Wanna Decryptor, or WannaCry, is a form of ransomware that affects Microsoft’s Windows operating system. When a system is infected, a pop up window appears, prompting you to pay to recover all your files within three days, with a countdown timer on the left of the window. It adds that if you fail to pay within that time, the fee will be doubled, and if you don’t pay within seven days, you will lose the files forever. Payment is accepted only with Bitcoin.

How does it spread?
According to the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (USCRT), under the Department of Homeland Security, ransomware spreads easily when it encounters unpatched or outdated software. Experts say that WannaCry is spread by an internet worm -- software that spreads copies of itself by hacking into other computers on a network, rather than the usual case of prompting unsuspecting users to open attachments. It is believe that the cyber attack was carried out with the help of tools stolen from the National Security Agency (NSA) of the United States.
Some forms of malware can lock the computer entirely, or set off a series of pop-ups that are nearly impossible to close, thereby hindering your work.
What can be done to prevent this?
The best way to protect your computer is to create regular backups of your files. The malware only affects files that exist in the computer. If you have created a thorough backup and your machine is infected with ransomware, you can reset your machine to begin on a clean slate, reinstall the software and restore your files from the backup. According to Microsoft’s Malware Protection Centre, other precautions include regularly updating your anti-virus program; enabling pop-up blockers; updating all software periodically; ensure the smart screen (in Internet Explorer) is turned on, which helps identify reported phishing and malware websites; avoid opening attachments that may appear suspicious.
Who has it affected so far?
It was first reported from Sweden, Britain and France, but Russia and Taiwan are said to be the worst hit, according to US media. Over 75,000 systems have been affected. Major companies that have reported attacks are FedEx, Telefonica and National Health Service (UK).

India will skip China’s high profile Belt and Road summit

India will skip China’s high profile Belt and Road summit beginning here on Sunday in view of sovereignty concerns related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the initiative that is expected to play a dominant role in the two-day meet.

While there is no official word, informed sources told PTI that India will not take part in the meet, contrary to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s announcement that India will have a representative at the Belt and Road Forum (BRF), a prestigious initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“Although Indian leader is not here, India will have a representative,” Mr. Wang told journalists here on April 17 without specifying who would be representing India.

It was a tough call for India to take as China, in the last few days, has managed to rope in a number of western countries, including the United States. Washington on Friday agreed to send a top official after it clinched a lucrative trade deal.

Playing down India’s absence at the meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told the media on Friday that Indian scholars would attend the meeting.

Japan, at the receiving end of strong criticism from China in the last few years particularly over the disputed islands in the East China Sea, has also agreed to send a high level political delegation that includes a vice minister.

The May 14-15 summit, which is expected to strengthen Mr. Xi’s power base as he gets set to begin his second five-year tenure later this year, will be attended by 29 heads of state and government, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A number of other countries, including South Korea, France, Germany and UK, have deputed either ministerial or official delegations.

While this is the outcome of hectic diplomatic lobbying by China, unlike India, none of the other countries have sovereignty related issues with the One Belt and One Road initiative.

Considering the CPEC’s importance in the plan — it is the only project at present with prospects of delivering early results — Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to take centrestage to highlight its significance as a “game changer” for his country. He is leading perhaps the largest delegation — four chief ministers and five federal ministers.

China-Pakistan Friendship Association President Sha Zukang has told the official media that China has already committed USD 46 billion Chinese investments for various energy and infrastructure related projects in Pakistan.

Besides Mr. Sharif, the only head of government to be represented at the summit will be Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe. He is attending the meeting after hosting his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at home.

Sri Lanka has over $8 billion Chinese investments.

From Nepal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Krishna Bahadur Mahara will lead the delegation. Bangladesh and the Maldives will also have official representations.

Bhutan has no diplomatic relations with China.

India’s decision to skip the meeting came after a year of bilateral discord over China’s stubborn opposition to India’s entry into the NSG and a UN ban against Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad leader Masood Azhar.

China, too, protested India’s decision to permit the Dalai Lama last month to visit Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as South Tibet.

In the last few days, China has tried to assuage India’s feelings by asserting that the commercial corridor will not have any impact on its stand that the Kashmir issue should be settled by India and Pakistan through dialogue.

About Belt and Road, Indian officials maintain that New Delhi has objections related only to the CPEC traversing through Gilgit and Baltistan of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) though the project is of strategic concern.

India’s worries over a 3,000 km long project connecting Pakistan’s deep-water port Gwadar and China’s Xinjiang stem from the fact Gwadar, which was taken over by the Chinese, will become a future naval base.

The Gwadar port opposite the Mumbai’s port housing the Indian Navy’s western naval command provides a berth for China in the Arabian Sea and to the Indian Ocean.

China has already announced plans to station its marines there as well in Djibouti in Horn of Africa in the Indian Ocean.

Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) takes Key Initiatives in the last three years;

Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) takes Key Initiatives in the last three years;
Total disinvestment achieved in the last three years (2014-15 to 2016-2017) was Rs. 87,714 crore as against Rs. 53,670 crore in the previous three-year period; A system of Rolling Plan has been brought-in to take advantage of the market conditions without any loss of time and with an element of surprise for the market players among others.

With a vision to promote people’s ownership of the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and a share in their prosperity through disinvestment, and efficient management of public investment in CPSEs for accelerating economic development and augmenting Government’s resources for higher expenditure, the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Ministry of Finance, has been working tirelessly to achieve these goals.

Figure 1: Areas of Achievements of DIPAM in the past three years

The major achievements of DIPAM in the past three years are outlined below.

1)      Disinvestment Performance

          The total disinvestment achieved in the last three years (2014-15 to 2016-2017) was Rs. 87,714 crore as against Rs. 53,670 crore in the previous three-year period. The average yearly realization of Rs. 29,238 crores during the period between 2014-15 to 2016-17 (last 3 years) vis-à-vis Rs. 19,873 crore for the period between 2009-10 to 2013-14 (5 years) represents an increase of 47%.

Figure 2: Disinvestment achieved (Rs crore)

(Figures for 2016-17 are till end February, 2017)

2) Accelerating the Disinvestment Process

A system of Rolling Plan has been brought-in, replacing the earlier system of annual plans, wherein shares are readily available for transactions, to take advantage of the market conditions without any loss of time and with an element of surprise for the market players. This helps in minimizing the price hammering during disinvestment of CPSEs. 

Figure 3: Accelerating the disinvestment process

Based on the suggestion made by DIPAM, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) through its circular dated 15^th February, 2016 has reduced the notice period for an Offer for Sale (OFS) transaction from T-2 to T-1 (T being the transaction day). This change is now helping in minimizing price hammering between the notice day and the transaction day, which used to take place earlier under the T-2 dispensation.

The Government is evolving an Equity Culture and has made the CPSEs’ disinvestment programme more inclusive by following an approach to reserve 20 per cent of shares in CPSEs-OFS transactions for retail investors on a case to case basis.

3) Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)

The CPSE ETF allows the Government of India to simultaneously divest multiple stocks spread across various sectors in one bundled instrument, thereby reducing overhang on individual stocks and maximizing the sale proceeds for the Government.

The Government launched a Further Fund Offer (FFO) of the CPSE ETF Scheme. Overall, the issue got oversubscribed by 2.30 times – Rs. 13,802 crore worth of applications were received as against the maximum issue size of Rs. 6,000 crore. The number of Retail applications was 2,70,712 (approx. 7 times the Retail applications received during first tranche held in March 2014), with corresponding value of Rs. 2,465 crore. This was one of the largest retail offering (Government / Private) in capital market in last few years. The Government realized an amount to the tune of Rs. 6000 crore through this offer.

4) Strategic Disinvestment

As a part of the initiative to fast-track strategic disinvestment of CPSEs, the Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment (CGD) was constituted on 21st March, 2016. Based on the report of the NITI Aayog and the recommendations of CGD, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting held on 27^th October, 2016, has approved, ‘in-principle’ the proposal for strategic disinvestment of some CPSEs, units of CPSEs and subsidiaries of CPSEs.

For the purpose of uniformity and efficient implementation of strategic disinvestment transactions, the 'flow of activities' to be completed within a specified time in respect of disinvestment of Government equity as well as disinvestment of equity of parent CPSE, subsidiary and sale of units of CPSEs has been prepared and communicated to the concerned Administrative Ministries/Departments for completion of the activities within the specified timeline.

These efforts are in sync with the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley’s Budget Speech of 2015-16 where he had stated that “the budget reflects considerable scaling-up of disinvestment figures. This will include both disinvestment in loss making units and some strategic disinvestment.”

The objective of strategic disinvestment includes the Government exiting from non-strategic business, unlocking optimum economic potential by promoting efficiency & professional management in such companies.

5) Promotion of payments through cards and digital means

To promote digital payments, BHIM application has been launched that facilitates digital payment transactions through UPI and USSD modes.  The acceptance infrastructure is being ramped up through procurement of Aadhaar ready PoS machines.  Further, alternative acceptance options through QR code have also been developed.

A number of incentives have been provided to encourage digital payments amongst merchants and consumers.  Capacity building and awareness campaigns have been launched by various Departments and State Governments to promote digital payments.  The Business Correspondents network is being expanded through inclusion of Fair Price Shops and Post Offices to provide digital transaction options at various geographically convenient locations.  Seeding of Aadhaar and mobile numbers in the bank accounts is also underway to enable the accountholders to undertake transactions through mobiles or Aadhaar authentications. 

6) Time-bound listing of CPSEs on Stock Exchanges

The Budget 2017-18 announced to put in place a revised mechanism and procedure to ensure time bound listing of identified CPSEs on stock exchanges. This will enable unlocking the true value of the company and promote ‘people’s ownership’ by encouraging public participation in CPSEs, making them accountable to its shareholders. DIPAM has issued circular dated 17.02.2017 on the mechanism and procedure, along with a list of activities with indicative timelines, for time bound listing of CPSEs by all the Administrative Ministries/Departments.

Isro to launch ‘game-changer’ GSLV Mark-III next month Isro plans to launch its most powerful rocket GSLV Mark III that is capable of transporting a heavier 4-tonne communications satellite next month

Isro to launch ‘game-changer’ GSLV Mark-III next month

Isro plans to launch its most powerful rocket GSLV Mark III that is capable of transporting a heavier 4-tonne communications satellite next month

India plans to launch next month its most powerful rocket that is capable of transporting a heavier 4-tonne communications satellite and described as a “game-changer” in the first of its kind space mission.

Aiming for a greater share of the multi-billion dollar global space market and to reduce dependency on international launching vehicles, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) said on Friday it is hoping to launch the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark-III in the first week of June.
A successful launch of this rocket will be yet another major step towards being self-reliant in the country’s space programme.
The Isro currently has the capability to launch payloads of up to 2.2 tonnes into the intended orbit and anything above that it had to tap foreign launch facilities.
“GSLV Mark-III is our next launch. We are getting ready. All the systems are in Sriharikota. The integration is currently going on,” Isro chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar told reporters in Hyderabad.
“The whole process of assembling the various stages and then integrating the satellite into the heat shield, these activities are going on. First week of June is when we are targeting this launch,” he said.
The Isro views operationalisation of this rocket as a “game-changer” mission.
GSLV Mark-III will be India’s most powerful launch vehicle built to lift the heaviest Indian communications satellites to space. It can put satellites weighing 4 tonnes in space, double the weight that the current GSLV-Mark-II can lift. It will also enable Isro to launch from India heavier communications spacecraft to geostationary orbits of 36,000 km. Because of the absence of a powerful launcher, Isro currently launches satellites above 2 tonnes on European rockets for a big fee.
Noting that communications satellites built beyond the capacity of 2.2 tonnes have to be launched from foreign soil, Kiran Kumar said efforts are on to launch satellites upto four tonnes and even beyond in India itself.
The GSLV Mark-III is intended to launch satellites into geostationary orbit and as a launcher for an Indian crew vehicle. It features an Indian cryogenic third stage and a higher payload capacity than the current GSLV. The satellite would carry Ka and Ku-band payload along with a Geostationary Radiation Spectrometer (GRASP) payload to monitor and study the nature of the charged particles and influence of space radiation on spacecraft and electronic components. It would also employ advanced spacecraft technologies including bus subsystem experiments in electrical propulsion system, indigenous Li-ion battery and indigenous bus bars for power distribution, among others.
The technology on lithium ion batteries developed by Isro is good for space programme in terms of cost-effectiveness, but it requires the efforts of industry to develop it to reduce costs, Kiran Kumar said.

Satellites find ‘hidden forests’ helping fight against global warming

Vast tracts of land previously considered barren are actually covered by forests ‘hiding in plain sight’, scientists said, in a find that could help fight climate change 

Vast tracts of land previously considered barren are actually covered by forests “hiding in plain sight”, scientists said on Friday, a discovery that could help the fight against climate change and desertification.

An international team of researchers led by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) used new technology to analyse high-resolution images from Google Earth and map forest coverage in drylands worldwide.
They found that trees like baobab and acacia shade 467 million more hectares of land than previously thought—an area roughly equal to half the size of the United States—increasing estimates of global forest cover by at least 9%.
The discovery allows for more accurate assessments of how much greenhouse gases are absorbed from the atmosphere by the world’s vegetation, FAO experts said.
“Drylands absorb more carbon than we thought and they can actually help mitigate climate change,” Eva Muller, director of FAO’s forestry policy and resources division said.
The analysis, published in journal Science, would also help forestry experts better identify areas suitable for restoring trees and vegetation in a bid to slow down desertification, added Jean-Francois Bastin, one of the study’s authors.
In Africa only, some 60 million people could be forced to leave their homes within five years and two thirds of arable land could be lost by 2025 as land progressively turns into desert, according to the UN.
Bastin said the new estimate of forest coverage was calculated using a data collection tool named Collect Earth, which enabled researchers to analyse Google Earth satellite images with a resolution of less than one meter.
“This allowed us to visually see and almost count the trees,” he said.
Earlier studies used lower definition images with a resolution of 30 to 250 metres that made it difficult to distinguish trees from soil in semi-arid areas where vegetation is sparse, he said.
Thanks to the new method, “hidden” forests were found on every continent, with the largest concentrations in sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, India, Australia, South America, Canada and Russia, the study said

Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India (Base: 2011-12=100)

Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India (Base: 2011-12=100)

Review for the month of April, 2017

The official Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2011-12=100) for the month of April, 2017 declined by 0.2 percent to 113.2 (provisional) from 113.4 (provisional) for the previous month.

INFLATION

The annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at 3.85% (provisional) for the month of April,2017 (over April,2016) as compared to 5.29% (provisional) for the previous month and -1.09% during the corresponding month of the previous year. Build up inflation rate in the financial year so far was -0.18% compared to a build up rate of 1.21% in the corresponding period of the previous year

Inflation for important commodities / commodity groups is indicated in Annex-1 and Annex-II.

The movement of the index for the various commodity groups is summarized below:-

PRIMARY ARTICLES (Weight 22.62%)

The index for this major group rose by 0.4 percent to 128.4 (provisional) from 127.9 (provisional) for the previous month.  The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-

The index for ‘Food Articles’ group rose by 0.6 percent to 139.4 (provisional) from 138.5 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of beef and buffalo meat (11%), tea (11%), peas/chawali (8%), moong (5%), fruits & vegetables, poultry chicken and pork (2% each) and masur,  arhar,  bajra,  gram and milk (1% each).  However, the price of barley (8%), betel leaves (7%), egg (6%), ragi (2%) and wheat, urad and condiments & spices (1% each) declined.

The index for ‘Non-Food Articles’ group declined by 0.3 percent to 121.2 (provisional) from 121.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of raw jute (10%), rape & mustard seed (4%), raw rubber and floriculture (3% each), raw cotton and sunflower (2% each)  and cotton seed (1%). However, the prices of castor seed (9%), copra (coconut) (5%), guar seed (4%), raw silk, groundnut seed and soyabean (2% each) and mesta, safflower (Kardi Seed), fodder and gingelly seed (1% each) moved up.

FUEL & POWER (Weight 13.15%)

The index for this major group declined by 1.9 percent to 92.8 (provisional) from 94.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of naphtha and furnace oil (7% each), aviation turbine fuel (ATF) (5%),  petrol (4%), high speed diesel (HSD) and bitumen (3% each), kerosene (2%) and LPG (1%).  However, the prices of coking coal (1%) and petroleum coke (3%) moved up.

MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS (Weight 64.23%)

The index for this major group remained unchanged at its previous month level of 112.1 (provisional). The groups and items for which the index showed variations during the month are as follows:-

The index for ‘Manufacture of Food Products’ group declined by 0.1 percent to 127.3 (provisional) from 127.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower prices of molasses, soyabean oil, spices (including mixed spices), maida, gram powder (besan) and sunflower oil (1% each).   However, the price of salt (2%) and mustard oil, powder milk, basmati rice, gur, bagasse and castor oil (1% each) moved up.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Beverages’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 117.2 (provisional) from 117.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to marginally increase price of bottled mineral water.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Tobacco Products’ group declined by 0.1 percent to 145.7 (provisional) from 145.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of other tobacco products (3%).  However, the price of biri and cigarette (2% each) moved up.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Textiles’ group rose by 0.2 percent to 113.3 (provisional) from 113.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of fabric, polyethylene, bed linen/bed spread and cotton dyed/printed textile (1% each).  However, the prices of woolen woven cloth, terry towel and carpets and other floor coverings of textiles (1% each) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Wearing Apparel’ group rose by 0.6 percent to 134.1 (provisional) from 133.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of manufacture of wearing apparel (woven), except fur apparel (1%).

The index for ‘Manufacture of Leather and Related Products’ group rose by 0.2 percent to 120.2 (provisional) from 120.0 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of waterproof footwear and canvas shoes (2% each) and gloves of leather (1%).

The index for ‘Manufacture of Wood and Products of Wood and Cork’ group rose by 0.3 percent to 131.3 (provisional) from 130.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of wooden panel, lamination wooden sheets/veneer sheets (1% each).

The index for ‘Printing and Reproduction of Recorded Media’ group declined by 0.4 percent to 142.7 (provisional) from 143.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of hologram (3D) (17%) and printed form & schedule, printed labels/posters/calendars and newspaper (1% each).

The index for ‘Manufacture of Chemicals and Chemical Products’ group declined by 0.2 percent to 111.4 (provisional) from 111.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of poly propylene (PP) (4%), mono ethyl glycol and oleoresin (3% each), insecticide and pesticide and phthalic anhydride (2% each) and polyester film (metalized), explosive, safety matches (match box), poly vinyl chloride (PVC), liquid air & other gaseous products, sodium silicate, plasticizer, ethylene oxide, organic solvent and catalysts (1% each).  However, the price of XLPE Compound, adhesive tape (non-medicinal) and hydrogen peroxide (2% each) and ammonia gas, ammonium phosphate, camphor, sulphuric acid, powder coating material, acrylic fibre, agro chemical formulation, paint and shampoo (1% each) moved up.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Pharmaceuticals, Medicinal Chemical and Botanical Products’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 121 (provisional) from 120.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of ayurvedic medicaments and digestive enzymes and antacids (1% each),  However, the price of Antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory formulations(1%) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of other Non-Metallic Mineral Products’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 109.3 (provisional) from 109.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of porcelain crockery (1%).  However, the price of marble slab (2%) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Basic Metals’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 94.9 (provisional) from 94.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of aluminium powder (2%) and MS bright bars,  stainless steel bars & rods,  including flats, aluminium castings, lead ingots, bars, blocks plates and MS castings (1% each). However, the price of brass metal/sheet/coils, copper metal/copper rings and copper shapes-bars/rods/plates/strips (1% each) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Fabricated Metal Products, Except Machinery and Equipment’ group declined by 0.6 percent to 106.9 (provisional) from 107.5 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower of electrical stamping- laminated or otherwise (8%), stainless steel razor (2%) and steel drums and barrels, steel container and steel door         (1% each).  However, the price of jigs & fixture (1%) moved up.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Computer, Electronic and Optical Products’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 108.5 (provisional) from 108.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of microscope (5%) and watch (1%).

The index for ‘Manufacture of Electrical Equipment’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 108.5 (provisional) from 108.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of PVC insulated cable and light fitting accessories (2% each) and aluminium/alloy conductor,  air coolers,  fluorescent tube, electrical relay/conductor, generator parts, batteries and electric mixers/grinders/food processors (1% each), However, the price of microwave oven and connector/plug/socket/holder-electric (3% each), rubber insulated cables (2%) and electric filament type lamps, ACSR conductors and insulating & flexible wire (1% each) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Machinery and Equipment’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 108.4 (provisional) from 108.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of pressure vessel and tank for fermentation & other food processing (3%) and evaporator, soil preparation & cultivation machinery (other than tractors), sugar machinery, chillers and pharmaceutical machinery (1% each).  However, the price of solar power system (solar panel & attachable equipment) (3%) and filtration equipment, hydraulic pump and threshers (1% each) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Other Transport Equipment’ group declined by 1.6 percent to 108.1 (provisional) from 109.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of motor cycles (3%).

The index for ‘Manufacture of Furniture’ group rose by 0.2 percent to 117.3 (provisional) from 117.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to marginally increase in the price of plastic fixtures.

WPI FOOD INDEX (Weight 24.38%)

The rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index consisting of ‘Food Articles’ from Primary Articles group and ‘Food Product’ from Manufactured Products group decreased from 5.50% in March, 2017 to 2.90% in April, 2017.

FINAL INDEX FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 2017 (BASE YEAR: 2004-05=100)

 

For the month of February, 2017, the final Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2004-05=100) and annual rate of inflation remained unchanged at its provisional level of 185.5 and 6.55 percent respectively as reported on 14.02.2017.