NEW DELHI, Nov 14 Reuters India39;s wholesale price index INWPIECI in October fell 0.52 from a year earlier, staying in negative territory for the seventh straight month on weaker manufacturing and a moderation in food prices, according to government data on Tuesday.

The fall in the index was steeper than a decline of 0.20 expected by economists polled by Reuters. It fell 0.26 in September.

In October, fuel and power prices fell 2.47 from a year earlier, compared with a 3.35 drop in September. Prices of primary articles were up 1.82 versus a rise of 3.70 a month earlier.

Food prices rose 1.07 yearonyear compared with a rise of 1.54 in September, while manufactured product prices fell 1.13 against a 1.34 fall the previous month.

Data on Monday showed India39;s retail inflation eased in October to a fourmonth low, edging closer to the central bank39;s target of 4, which it has said needs to be firmly in sight before it can start lowering interest rates.

Last week, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das highlighted risks from a spike in food prices saying India was vulnerable to recurring and overlapping food price shocks despite the recent moderation in inflation.

Reporting by Shivangi Acharya and Sarita Changanti Singh; Editing by Kim Coghill

Source Reuters