Coal crisis, global energy spike risks to inflation: Economists

The high commodity cost globally, rising crude oil and domestic coal supply constraints that have spiked electricity prices may cause inflation to accelerate, which could dampen a demand recovery that is underway across sectors, economists said. A $10 per barrel increase in crude prices will add 30-40 basis points to inflation directly, while the attendant rise in lighting, transport and communication costs will also put significant price pressures.