Core sector industries' output growth hits 16-month low at 3.5% in November

Eight core industries grew at its slowest pace in 16 months at 3.5 per cent in November due to fall in output of crude oil and fertilisers, according to official data released today. The previous lowest expansion in output growth of these key industries was recorded at 2.9 per cent in July 2017.

The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors, given below, was 6.9 per cent in November last year.

1. Coal: Coal production (weight: 10.33per cent)increased by 3.7 per cent in November 2018 over November 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 9.0 per cent during April to November 2018-19 over corresponding period of the previous year.

2. Crude Oil: Crude Oil production (weight: 8.98per cent) declined by 3.5 per cent in November 2018 over November 2017. Its cumulative index declined by 3.6 per cent during April to November 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

3. Natural Gas: The Natural Gas production (weight: 6.88per cent) increased by 0.5 per cent in November 2018 over November 2017. Its cumulative index declined by 0.7 per cent during April to November, 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

4. Refinery Products: Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04per cent) increased by 2.3 per cent in November 2018 over November 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 5.3 per cent during April to November 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

5. Fertilizers: Fertilizers production (weight: 2.63 per cent) declined by 8.1 per cent in November 2018 over November 2017. Its cumulative index declined by 1.3 per cent during April to November 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

6. Steel: Steel production (weight: 17.92per cent) increased by 6.0 per cent in November 2018 over November 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 3.7 per cent during April to November 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

7. Cement: Cement production (weight: 5.37per cent) increased by 8.8per cent in November 2018 over November, 2017. Its cumulative index increased by 14.2 per cent during April to November 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.

8. Electricity: Electricity generation (weight: 19.85per cent) increased by 5.4 per cent in November 2018 over November 2017. Its cumulative indexincreased by 6.7per cent during April to November 2018-19 over the corresponding period of previous year.