Retail inflation slows to 4.28 pc in March

New Delhi: Retail inflation slowed to 4.28 percent in March, the third consecutive month of decline, mainly on account of easing food prices including vegetables, government data showed today.

The inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key data factored in by the RBI to arrive at an interest rate, was 4.44 percent in February.

However, the March 2018 inflation is higher than 3.89 percent recorded in the same month last year.

As per data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), inflation in the vegetable segment cooled to 11.7 percent in March from 17.57 percent in the previous month. The rate of price rise in the protein-rich items like eggs, milk and other products too moderated in March as against the previous month.

However, inflation in fruits basket was higher. Overall, inflation in the food basket was 2.81 percent, lower than 3.26 percent in February.

The CSO data further revealed that inflation in the fuel and light segment also came in lower at 5.73 percent month-on-month basis.