RBI likely to hike interest rate again

"High inflation likely to persist in near-term before moderating as falling global commodity prices provide limited comfort," RBI said in its macro economic policy review.

The overall inflation in September stood at 9.72 per cent, is higher than RBI`s comfort level of 5-6 per cent. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said "inflation challenge remains significant" and the monetary policy actions would be guided by emerging growth-inflation dynamics.

The headline inflation, as measured by wholesale price index (WPI), has been hovering above 9 per cent since December, 2010.

The RBI said that the baseline inflation path still remains sticky and broadly unchanged from earlier projections. "This has made policy choices more complex. Some sacrifice of growth is inevitable in the current milieu of high inflation," it said.

The RBI had earlier projected headline inflation to decline to 7 per cent by March-end. It said inflation pressure in the system is strong and persistent due to structural rigidities, continuing strong demand and the adaptive nature of inflation expectations.

Besides, food inflation is also likely stay elevated due to demand-supply mismatches. Food inflation, which account for over 14 per cent in headline inflation, stood at a six month high of 10.60 per cent in the week ended October 8.