The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday targeted the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Government as Odisha recorded the highest retail inflation in the country in March this year.

As per the data released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Odisha recorded the highest retail inflation rate of 7.1 per cent among all major States in March 2024.

The retail inflation in rural areas of Odisha was 7.3 per cent and the inflation rate in urban areas was 6.5 per cent.

Assam and Haryana recorded the second highest inflation rate of 6.1 per cent in March. The retail inflation was 5.7 per cent in Bihar and 5.6 per cent in Telangana.

Delhi witnessed the lowest retail inflation rate of 2.3 per cent followed by Uttarakhand at 3.6 per cent and Himachal Pradesh at 4.1 per cent in March.

The overall inflation rate in the country was 4.9 per cent in March.

“The BJP government at the Centre managed to keep the retail inflation rate under control despite unfavourable condition at the international level. However, the Odisha Government has failed to arrest the inflation rate,” said BJP spokesperson Satyabrata Panda at a Press conference here.

Panda further alleged that the prices of many essential commodities, including onion and garlic, have gone up significantly in Odisha in last few months.

He blamed the alleged collection of commission from the traders and inefficiency of the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department for high retail inflation rate in Odisha.