Core sector output rises 6.5 per cent in October

Core sector industrial production in the country expanded at a faster pace of 6.5 per cent in October 2012 compared to the 0.4 per cent growth recorded in October 2011.

The eight core sector industries comprising coal, crude oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity had recorded a combined growth of 5.1 per cent in September 2012.

The combined index of the eight core sector industries, which have a combined weight of 37.90 per cent in the general index of industrial production (IIP) stood at 151.2 in October 2012 with a growth rate of 6.5 per cent.

The gains in October 2012 were on account of double-digit growth witnessed in the production of petroleum refinery products and coal

During April-October 2012-13, the core sector industries showed a cumulative growth rate of 3.7 per cent against a growth of 4.3 per cent during the corresponding period in 2011-12.

Coal production, which has a weight of 4.38 per cent in the general index, recorded a growth of 10.9 per cent in October 2012 compared to its negative growth of (-) 8.8 per cent in October 2011. Coal production recorded a cumulative growth of 8.7 per cent during April-October 2012-13 compared to its negative growth of (-) 5.4 per cent during the same period of 2011-12.