The CPI in December fell 0.3percent month on month but still rose 1.24 percent from the same period lastyear.
During the month, prices offood and catering services declined 0.25 percent from November while those ofhousing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials down 0.38 percent.The transport category also saw a drop of 1.62 percent in prices, the office noted.
It said that in 2021, pricesof some groups of commodities changed as a result of the complicated COVID-19situation and the months-long social distancing, which led to the surge indemand for grain food and foodstuff in certain points of time.
However, local authoritieshave swiftly carried out programmes to ensure the flow of goods and stabiliseprices. Besides, the State’s policies and businesses’ moves to assistpandemic-hit consumers such as cutting down power and water prices, reducingor exempting school fees, and decreasing house rent have also supported theprice control, according to the Statistics Office./.