India Food Prices Stay High

India’s food inflation rate continued to stay stubbornly high in the week through Jan. 15, but the government’s still-loose fiscal stance is limiting the effects of a tight monetary policy aimed at bringing down prices.

Prices of onions continued to swell–a major concern as the vegetable is a staple in Indian cuisine–and sky-rocketing prices have cooked up a political storm.

The wholesale price index for food articles was little changed at 190.8 in the week ended Jan. 15, compared with 190.6 in the previous week, according to data issued Thursday by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.