New Delhi: A sharp to moderate price fall in non-food, food products and manufactured items triggered a 0.25 per cent dip in inflation to 5.65 per cent for the week ended May 24, although domestic fuel prices remained firm.

The point-to-point Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation fell from the previous week's level of 5.90 per cent and the index was a mere 1.43 per cent in the previous year period.

WPI fell by 0.1 per cent to 172.1 points in the latest reported week and the index was 162.9 a year ago.

The final WPI stood at 172.3 for the week ended March 29 as compared to the provisional level of 171.9, while the final inflation was 6.49 per cent as against the provisional mark of 6.24 per cent.

RBI Governor Bimal Jalan had expressed confidence that inflation will fall gradually and would be in the range of 5-5.5 per cent during this fiscal.

The index for Primary Articles' group declined by 0.4 per cent to 180.6 owing to cheaper food and non- food articles and the index was 169.1 in the previous year period.

Food Articles' group index was down by 0.3 per cent to 180.9 due to lower prices for Urad (grain), fruits and vegetables and fish-marine (two per cent each) and Ragi (one per cent), while there was two per cent price rise in condiments and spices and one per cent in gram.

PTI