New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS): India's wholesale price based inflation rose to 6.46 percent in September, the sharpest pace in seven months, driven by a 18.40 percent jump in food prices, government data showed Monday.

According to data from the ministry of commerce and industry, the headline inflation, measured in terms of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), accelerated to 6.10 percent in August as against 5.85 percent in July.

The headline inflation was recorded at 8.07 percent during September 2012. The food inflation for the month under review rose to 18.40 percent from 8.06 percent in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Prices of vegetables shot up by 89.37 percent in September, from (-) 6.73 percent deceleration in the corresponding month of 2012.

Onion price soared by 322.94 percent in the month under review from a fall of 24.69 percent.

Onion prices grew by 244.62 percent year-on-year in August. Fruits became costlier by 13.54 percent, from 7.02 percent in the corresponding month of 2012.

Eggs, meat and fish became slightly costlier by 13.37 percent, from 13.22 percent recorded in September 2012.

Rice became costlier by 18.76 percent from 12.58 percent in September 2012.

Wheat price rose 5.09 percent, from a jump of 18.87 percent in September last year. Cereals went up 13.05 percent from an increase of 14.35 percent in the corresponding month of 2012.