Core sector output growth hits an 8-month low of 1.9% in September

Core sector industrial production in India plummeted to 1.9 per cent in September, the slowest pace in eight months, against a sturdy 9 per cent growth recorded in September last year.

The index of core sector industries comprising fertiliser, cement, steel, electricity, crude oil, coal, petroleum refinery products and natural gas fell mainly due to declining output of crude oil, natural gas, refinery products and fertiliser.

Crude oil, natural gas, refinery products and fertiliser output have registered a drop of 1.1 per cent, 6.2 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 11.6 per cent, respectively, in September, according to the data released by commerce ministry.

Production of coal, cement, steel and electricity too slowed down to 7.2 per cent, 3.2 per cent, 4 per cent and 3.8 per cent, respectively, in September this year against increases of 13.6 per cent, 12.1 per cent, 10.7 per cent and 12.9 per cent, respectively, in September 2013.

Cumulative production growth of the eight core sector industries, which have a combined weight of 38 per cent in the general index of industrial production (IIP), during April-August 2014-15 stood at 4 per cent against 5 per cent in the year-ago period.

The September figures have an impact on overall industrial production as the eight core sectors have a combined weight of about 38 per cent in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Coal production increased by 7.2 per cent in September 2014 over September 2013 while cumulative production during April-September 2014-15 also increased by 7.2 per cent over corresponding period of previous year.

Crude Oil production declined by 1.1 per cent in September 2014 over September 2013 while cumulative production of crude oil during April-September 2014-15 declined by 1.2 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year.

Natural gas production declined by 6.2 per cent in September 2014 over September 2013 while cumulative production during April-September 2014-15 declined by 5.9 per cent over the corresponding period of previous year.

Petroleum refinery production declined by 2.5 per cent in September 2014 over September 2013 while cumulative production during April-September 2014-15 declined by 2.6 per cent over the corresponding period of previous year.

Fertilizer production declined by 11.6 per cent in September 2014 over September 2013 while it registered no growth during April-September 2014-15 over the corresponding period of previous year.

Steel production increased by 4.0 per cent in September 2014 over September 2013 while cumulative production during April-September 2014-15 increased by 2.3 per cent over the corresponding period of previous year.

Cement production increased by 3.2 per cent in September 2014 over September 2013 while cumulative growth during April-September 2014-15 was 9.7 per cent over the corresponding period of previous year.

Electricity generation increased by 3.8 per cent in September 2014 over September 2013 while it recorded a cumulative growth of 10.0 per cent during April-September 2014-15 over the corresponding period of the previous year.