The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices edged down by 0.3 per cent in February from the previous month, the NSO said today.

"This primarily reflected a decrease of 1.7 per cent in the Restaurants and Hotels Index, mainly on account of cheaper accommodation services," it said.

The Transport Index registered a drop of 0.9 per cent, mainly due to lower airfares. A fall in vegetable prices caused the Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Index to decrease by 0.8 per cent.

The Communication Index went down by 0.4 per cent due to cheaper internet services. A downward movement in the price of wine and whisky caused the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Index to go down by 0.1 per cent. The Clothing and Footwear Index went up by 2.6 per cent, mainly due to seasonal price increases in garments.

Higher fees for medical and paramedical services caused the Health Index to go up by 0.6 per cent. The Recreation and Culture Index went up by 0.5 per cent, mainly on account of a seasonal rise in the price of flowers. Higher fees for funeral services resulted in a similar increase in the Miscellaneous Goods and Services Index. An upward movement in the prices of furniture and furnishings underlay an increase of 0.3 per cent in the Furniture, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House Index.

The Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Index registered a 0.1 per cent increase, mainly due to costlier materials for the maintenance and repair of dwellings.

In February, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.4 per cent, whereas the annual rate of inflation stood at 2.7 per cent,