Core sector output growth rate tapers to 2.5 per cent

India's core sector production grew at an even slower pace of 2.5 per cent year-on-year in September 2010 against an already low 3.7 per cent recorded in the previous month.

The six core sector industries, comprising crude oil, petroleum refinery, coal, electricity, cement and steel, posted a 2.5 per cent (provisional) growth in output in September 2010 against the 4.3 per cent growth recorded in September 2009.

During April-September 2010-11, the six core sector industries recorded a combined average growth of 4.0 per cent (provisional) against 4.5 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The index of the six core sector industries having a combined weight of 26.7 per cent in the index of industrial production (with base 1993-94) stood at 253.7 (provisional) in September 2010.
 
Production of crude oil (weight of 4.17 per cent in the IIP) recorded a growth of 12.5 per cent (provisional) in September 2010 against a negative growth rate of (-)0.5 per cent registered in September 2009. Crude production grew at 10.2 per cent (provisional) during April-September 2010-11 against a negative (-)1.2 per cent registered in the same period of 2009-10.

Petroleum refinery production (weight of 2 per cent in the IIP) registered a negative growth of (-)10.2 per cent (provisional) in September 2010 against a growth of 3.4 per cent in September 2009. Petroleum refinery production grew at 2.6 per cent (provisional) during April-September 2010-11 against a negative (-)3.6 per cent during the same period of 2009-10.

Coal production (weight of 3.2 per cent in IIP) registered a negative growth of (-)2.0 per cent (provisional) in September 2010 against a growth of 6.5 per cent in September 2009. Coal production grew 0.4 per cent (provisional) during April-September 2010-11 against an expansion of 11.6 per cent during the same period of 2009-10.