The Retail Price Index went up to 103.13 last month from 102.13 in February, the National Statistics Office said.

The NSO said this primarily reflected an increase of 8.24 per cent in the clothing and footwear index, mainly due to seasonal price increases in garments.

Costlier air fares and fuels caused the transport and communication index to go up by 2.28 per cent.

The other goods and services index edged up by 0.46 per cent, mainly on account of a price rise in jewellery.

Higher prices of books were reflected in a 0.26 per cent rise in the recreation and culture index. An increase of 0.18 per cent was registered in the household equipment and house maintenance cost index, mainly due to higher prices of cutlery and household appliances.

Higher prices for hairdressing services underlay a rise of 0.10 per cent in the personal care and health index.

The beverages and tobacco index edged up by 0.08 per cent, mainly due to higher prices of non-alcoholic beverages. Higher prices of painting material caused the housing index to increase by 0.05 per cent.

A similar rise was recorded in the water, electricity, gas and fuels index due to an increase in the price of kerosene.

The food index went down by 0.45 per cent, mainly due to a decrease in the price of vegetables.

The 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 1.99 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 2.69 per cent.