From correspondents in Delhi, India, 05:02 PM IST

Inflation is a short-term challenge, arising out of crude oil price increase, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said here Wednesday.

'It is properly handled and should not affect the medium-term average growth rate of 9 percent,' he said at a press meet here.

India's annual rate of inflation hit a 13-year high of 11.42 percent for the week ended June 14.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)