KATHMANDU: The year-on-year (y-o-y) consumer inflation has hit 8.50 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, 2022/23, said the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).

It is highest in the Tarai with 9.42 percent followed by 8.84 percent in the Hills, 7.07 in the Mountain and 6.93 in the Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts), according to a report on the current macroeconomic and financial situation of the country published here today by the central bank.

During the same period between July 17 and October 17, price of food and beverage saw an increment of 8.05 percent inflation and non-food and service sector 8.85 percent.

Similarly, the restaurant and hotel sector witnessed a surge of 15.91 percent inflation, fruits 12.06 percent, alcoholic beverage 10.24 percent, dairy products and eggs 9.45 percent and tobacco products 8.11 percent.

Under service sector, transport saw an increment of 21.15 percent inflation, health 10.54 percent, furnishing and household equipment 9.45 percent and education 8.11 percent.

Also, the y-o-y wholesale inflation stood at 13.73 percent.