Inflation surges to 8.1 pct

India''s wholesale price index increased 8.1 percent in the 12 months to May 17, above the previous week''s annual rise of 7.82 percent, government data showed on May 30. The rate was above a median forecast of 7.96 percent in a Reuters poll of analysts. Inflation for the week ended March 22 was revised upwards to 7.85 percent from 7.0 percent. The annual inflation rate was 5.30 percent during the corresponding week of the previous year. The wholesale price index is more closely watched than the consumer price index, which is published monthly, because it covers a higher number of products and is published weekly.