Inflation falls below 6

Mass consumption primary articles8217; group index was up by 0.2 per cent to 180.2 points due to costlier food and non-food articles, even as minerals8217; prices fell. The index was 169 in the previous year. A 2 per cent price hike in barley and 1 per cent each in jowar, bajra, maize, masur, eggs, mutton and condiments and spices pushed food articles8217; group index marginally up by 0.1 per cent to 179.5 points. However, there was a 3 per cent price fall in moong. The index for non-food articles8217; group rose substantially by 0.5 per cent to 186.8 owing to higher prices. The index for fuel, power, light and lubricants8217; group remained firm at the week-ago level of 249.3 even as global prices spurt on reports of surprise drop in the US commercial crude oil inventories.