Core sector grows 5% in September

Infrastructure output rose 5 per cent in September 2016 from 3.2 per cent in August, mainly on the back of improved performance in refinery products, cement, electricity generation and steel.

The overall Index of Industrial Production (IIP) of the eight core industries stood at 176.1 in September (176 in August), but was higher than 167.7 in September 2015, recording a year-on-year rise of 5 per cent. The cumulative growth of IIP in the past four months — April to September — showed a rise of 4.6 per cent, an official release said. The eight core industries comprise nearly 38 per cent of the weight in the IIP.

In September 2016, coal production declined 5.8 per cent compared with September 2015, while its cumulative index during April to September increased 1.2 per cent over the corresponding previous period. In August, coal output had fallen 9.2 per cent.

Crude oil production, too, fell 4.1 per cent in the month over last year, with the April-September cumulative index also declining 3.3 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

There was a considerable decline in natural gas production, which fell 5.5 per cent in September 2016 over the same period last year, with the April-September cumulative index also lower by 4.4 per cent over the same period last year. However, petroleum refinery output shot up 9.3 per cent in September 2016 over last year, with its cumulative index during April-September up 7.9 per cent over the last year. While the index for fertiliser production declined to 122 in September against 127.1 in August, it increased by 2 per cent y-o-y. Its cumulative index during April to September was up 5.6 per cent.

Steel production increased 16.3 per cent y-o-y, but the index declined to 233.4 in September from 237.3 in August 2016. Its cumulative index during April-September, however, showed a rise of 7.2 per cent over last year.

Electricity generation rose 2.2 per cent in September 2016 over September 2015.

The index was higher at 199.8 in September, against 194.6 in August 2016, with the cumulative index during April-September up 5.1 per cent over last year.

Cement production increased 5.5 per cent over September 2015. Its cumulative index was up 4.5 per cent over last year at 206.4 in September 2016.