Eight core industries register 5.6 per cent growth in Dec 2016 amid robust steel output

Eight core industries registered a growth of 5.6 per cent in December 2016 owing to robust output recorded by refinery products and steel.

The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity -- was 2.9 per cent in December 2015. It stood at 4.9 per cent in November 2016.

The core sectors, which contribute 38 per cent to the total industrial production, expanded 5 per cent in April - December 2016 compared to 2.6 per cent growth in the same period last financial year, according to data released by the commerce and industry ministry on Wednesday.

Refinery products and steel production jumped 6.4 per cent and 14.9 per cent, respectively during the month under review. However, crude oil, fertliser, natural gas and cement output reported contraction.

Coal output declined by 4.4 per cent in December 2016 from 5.3 per cent in the same month previous year. Similarly, electricity generation too dipped by 6 per cent as compared to 8.8 per cent in December 2015.