NEW DELHI, Oct 16 Reuters India39;s wholesale price index in September fell 0.26 from a year earlier, according to government data released on Monday.

Economists polled by Reuters had estimated the wholesale price index for September would rise 0.5. It fell 0.52 in August.

In September, fuel and power prices fell 3.35 from a year earlier, compared with a 6.03 drop in August. Prices of primary articles were up 3.70 versus a rise of 6.34.

Food prices rose 1.54 yearonyear compared with a rise of 5.62 in August and manufactured product prices fell 1.34 against a 2.37 fall the previous month.

Last week, data showed India39;s retail inflation eased to a threemonth low in September on the back of softer vegetable prices, but remained above 4, a target that the country39;s central bank has signalled would be key before easing rates.

Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of India RBI kept its key lending rate steady for a fourth consecutive policy meeting and reiterated that it was targeting inflation of 4 and a print of below 6 might not suffice as a condition for easing rates.

Reporting by Shivangi Acharya and Aftab Ahmed; Editing by Sohini Goswami

Source Reuters