Indians spending less on food items, more on clothes, TV-fridge, government survey shows

Indians are spending less on food items, and more on discretionary items such as processed foods, clothes, televisions and fridges, government consumption data showed.

The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, released recently, estimates average rural consumer spending rose to 3,773 rupees a month per person for the 12 months through July from 1,430 rupees in the previous survey in 2011-2012, while urban spending rose to 6,459 rupees from 2,630 rupees.

Spending on food fell to 46% of monthly consumption for rural consumers from nearly 53% in 2011-12, while in urban areas it fell to 39% from 43%.

Indians are spending less on cereals, including wheat and rice, and pulses, but more on beverages, refreshments and processed food.

Among non-food items, consumers are spending more on conveyance, consumer services and durable goods, like televisions and fridges.

The new survey will form the basis of a review of India's consumer price inflation index.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government did not release a 2017-2018 survey due to what it called "data quality issues". The decision prompted controversy over whether the administration was concealing economic data.

The government denied suggestions it was withholding the data because they showed weak consumption trends.