According to an ET analysis, 10 states/union territories posted faster inflation than the national average of 2.7% in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.
Kerala, often seen as a consumption-oriented state, was at the top with a reading of 6.4%, followed by Punjab (4.7%), the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (4.4%), Uttarakhand (3.6%), Karnataka (3.5%) and Haryana (3.4%). The other states that posted faster inflation than the national average were Maharashtra (3.1%), Chhattisgarh (2.9%), Himachal Pradesh (2.9%) and Tamil Nadu (2.8%).
The analysis focuses on major states and UTs with a population exceeding 5 million as per Census 2011.
The key drivers of inflation across states were food products, fuel and light, and personal care and effects.
“The differing weights for states in these categories account for the upward bias,” Bank of Baroda chief economist Madan Sabnavis said.These states have consistently recorded higher inflation in recent months, particularly Kerala, Punjab and the UT of J&K.
