NEW DELHI, June 16: Costlier potato and cereals pushed up May inflation to five- month high level of 6.01 per cent, prompting the Centre to ask the states to take effective steps against speculative hoarding in the wake of weak monsoon fears. Experts apprehend the likeli- hood of poor monsoon coupled with rising oil prices on the back of political tension in Iraq, may further aggravate the domestic scenario. The rise in inflation has been mainly due to 31.44 per cent increase in prices of potato, 19.40 per cent in fruits and 12.75 per cent in rice, according to the offi- cial data on Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation. The food inflation stood at 9.50 per cent last month, while the manufactured inflation was 3.55 per cent. "The Government is seized of the matter and is committed to ease supply side constraints. The rise in prices of food articles can also be attributed to with- holding of stocks on account of apprehension of a weak mon- soon," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said while commenting on the inflation data.(PTI) TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2014 (PAGE 14) DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU Newly constructed Floor for sale at Central Market West Punjabi Bagh New Delhi. Well furnished Five Star Infrastructure Modern technics lift, Car Parking, Servant Room, Punjabi Bagh Club membership. FOR SALE CONTACT: 9419100722 May inflation rises to 6.01%; FM for action against hoarding