India's Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee sits before giving the final touches to the federal budget 2010/11 in New Delhi February 25, 2010.
India's Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee sits before giving the final touches to the federal budget 2010/11 in New Delhi Feb. 25, 2010. REUTERS

The government expects headline inflation to ease to 7 percent by end March, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Monday, matching other government forecasts.

The wholesale price index , India's main inflation gauge, marginally eased to 8.23 percent in January but the central bank will likely keep tightening monetary policy because price pressures are still above its comfort zone.

India Inflation