New Delhi, Sep 17 - After remaining in negative zone for 13 consecutive weeks, India's annual rate of inflation was back to positive at 0.12 percent for the week ended Sep 5, a rise from minus 0.12 percent the week before, according to official data released Thursday.

The rate turned negative for the week ended June 6 for the first time since the new wholesale price index (WPI) series started in 1995. The inflation rate had also turned negative in 1977.

Negative inflation implies that the average wholesale price level was lower during a given week than it was in the corresponding week a year ago. It does not necessarily reflect retail prices.

The price indices for primary articles, manufacturing products and fuel, power, light and lubricants rose for the week ended Sep 5.