India's industrial production grew at a slow 1.6 per cent in December

Industrial production in the country grew at a slow pace of 1.6 per cent year-on-year in December 2010 against an 8.6 per cent growth recorded in December 2009.

The decline in industrial production has been due mainly to a negative growth in the production of capital goods and consumer non-durables.

The index of industrial production (IIP) with base 1993-94 stood at 353.6 in December 2010, a 1.6 per cent growth from the level in December 2009, quick estimates released by the Central Statistical Organisation showed.

Production indices for the mining, manufacturing and electricity sectors stood at 216.9, 385.0, and 249.3, respectively, during December 2010, with corresponding growth rates of 3.8 per cent, 1.0 per cent and 6.0 per cent, compared to December 2009 levels.

The three sectors recorded cumulative year-on-year growth rates of 7.7 per cent, 9.1 per cent and 4.7 per cent, respectively, during April-December 2010-11, which moved the overall growth in the general index to 8.6 per cent.
 
In terms of industries, 12 out of the 17 industry groups showed positive growth during December 2010 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.

The industry group that comprises 'jute and other vegetable fibre textiles (except cotton)' showed the highest growth of 58.6 per cent, followed by 'other manufacturing industries' (21.6 per cent) and 'metal products and parts, except machinery and equipment' (21.0 per cent).