Cities like Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Shillong (Meghalaya), Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Rajkot (Gujarat) and Kharagpur (West Bengal) have seen the sharpest increase in consumer prices in the first seven months of the current calendar year.

In comparison, metros are much better off.

This conclusion is borne out by an analysis of the Consumer Price Index (urban non-manual employees) data for January to July 2007. The figures were provided by the Central Statistical Organisation for 59 urban centres in the country.

Do you agree? Do you  believe smaller cities are the hardest hit as far as inflation is concerned? Or do you feel this is one of those baseless economic exercises which will hold no water?