The eight core industries’ output grew 2.1 per cent in December 2013, higher than the growth rate of 1.7 per cent recorded in the previous month.
The latest output print of the eight core industries – coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, electricity – was however lower than 7.5 per cent growth recorded in December 2012. In April-December 2013, eight core industries’ output grew a mere 2.5 per cent against 6.8 per cent in same period year. Coal output fell (-) 0.6 per cent in December year-on-year. Petroleum refinery production shrank by (-) 1.7 per cent.