Inflation based on wholesale prices slipped marginally to 2.47% in March on falling prices of food items, especially vegetables and pulses.
On the basis of the Wholesale Price Index, inflation had quickened to 2.48% in February and to 5.11% in March last year.
According to government data, food articles witnessed deflation after about eight months as vegetables, cereals, pulses, eggs, meat and fish, turned cheaper. Wholesale prices of food articles fell 0.29% in March compared with a 0.88% rise in the previous month. Manufactured products inflation accelerated to 3.03%, while sugar prices fell 10.48% in the month.