India's core sector output up 3.1% in July

Core sector industrial production in the country grew at an increased pace of 3.1 per cent in July against a mere 0.1 per cent growth registered in June 2013.

The eight core sector industries comprising coal, crude oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity recorded production growth of 3.1 per cent in July 2013 against a growth of  1.8 per cent in July 2012.

The index of core sector industries (base 2004-05=100), having a weight of 37.90 per cent in the general index of industrial production (IIP), stood at 156.4 in July 2013, which was 3.1 per cent higher compared to the index of July 2012.

The index gained on improved performance by steel producers and an increase in power generation. Crude production and refinery throughput also showed some improvement.

Production of coal (which has a weight of 4.38 per cent in IIP) increased by 1.2 per cent year-on-year in July 2013.

However, cumulative production of coal during April-July 2013-14 grew at a moderate 0.5 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year.

Production of crude oil (weight of 5.22 per cent in IIP) expanded by 2.3 per cent in July 2013 over July 2012 while cumulative production growth of coal during April-July 2013-14 stood lower at 1.6 per cent year-on-year.

Natural gas production (weight of 1.71 per cent) declined by 16.1 per cent in July 2013 while cumulative production during April-July 2013-14 declined by 17.2 per cent year-on-year.

Petroleum refinery production (weight of 5.94 per cent in IIP) recorded a growth of 5.1 per cent in July 2013 while, cumulative growth of production during April-July 2013-14 stood at 4.7 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year.

Fertiliser production (weight of 1.25 per cent) grew at a slow 0.4 per cent in July 2013 although cumulative production during April-July 2013-14 recorded a higher growth of 1.9 per cent year-on-year.

Production of steel (weight of 6.68 per cent in IIP) recorded a growth rate of 7.0 per cent in July while cumulative production growth during April-July 2013-14 stood at 4.1 per cent.

Cement production (weight of 2.41 per cent in IIP) increased by 0.8 per cent in July 2013 while cumulative production during April-July 2013-14 expanded by 2.7 per cent year-on-year.

Electricity generation (weigh of 10.32 per cent in IIP) increased by 5.2 per cent in July 2013 and posted a cumulative growth of 3.4 per cent year-on-year during April-July 2013-14.