India's Eight Core Sectors' Output Grows At Six-Month High Of 8.4 Per Cent In April

Production growth of eight infrastructure sectors rose to a six-month high of 8.4 per cent in April on the back of better performance by coal, refinery products and electricity segments, according to official data released on Tuesday.

India's combined Index of eight core Industries stood at 143.2 in April 2022, which is an increase of 8.4 per cent (provisional) as compared to the Index of April 2021, an official release said on Tuesday (31 May).

The production of coal, electricity, refinery products, fertilisers, cement and natural gas industries increased in April 2022 over the corresponding period of last year.

The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 percent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

The output growth in April is the highest since October 2021 when the core sector grew by 8.7 per cent.

According to the data, coal output rose sharply by 28.8 per cent while electricity production increased by 10.7 per cent.

The output of petroleum refinery products increased by 9.2 per cent in April 2022. The production of natural gas increased by 6.4 per cent, fertilisers by 8.7 per cent, and cement by 8 per cent.

Meanwhile,the output of crude oil contracted by 0.9 per cent against a 2.1 per cent decline in April, the data showed. Steel production dipped by 0.7 per cent during the month.

(With inputs from PTI)