New Delhi: Growth of six core infrastructure
industries eased to 1.8 percent in July, the lowest this
fiscal, as petroleum refinery acted as a drag on the sector.
A 14.4 percent contraction in petroleum refinery products
constricted expansion of the six key industries in July,
against 5.1 percent a year ago.
The core sector, which comprises petroleum refinery, crude
oil, coal, electricity, cement and finished steel and accounts
for 26.68 percent in the country's industrial production, had
grown by 6.8 percent in June and had then raised hopes of
industrial recovery.
Crude oil, though at lower rates, dipped by 0.4 percent
in July against minus three percent a year ago. However, coal
expanded by 9.7 percent against 5.5 percent, electricity by
3.3 percent as compared to 4.5 percent, cement by 10.6 percent as against 5.5 percent and finished steel by 1.2 percent as against 6 percent.
However, thanks to better showing in the previous three
months, core industries improved performance by 4.1 percent
for April-July period, against the corresponding months in the
last fiscal.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 13:24