Core industries output index up 3.2 per cent in July

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) of eight core industries at 173.7 in July was 3.2 per cent higher than a year ago, said the Union Commerce & Industry Ministry on Wednesday.

"The cumulative growth of the IIP was 4.9 per cent during April-July of this fiscal (2016-17)," the ministry said in a statement here.

The eight core industries are coal, crude oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, fertilisers, steel (alloy and non-alloy), cement and electricity.

The core industries carry 38 per cent of the weight of items in the IIP.

"According to the provisional data, coal production increased 5.1 year-on-year (YoY) and 5.3 per cent in the first quarter under reference (Q1) compared to same quarter year ago," the statement noted.

Crude oil production, however, decreased 1.8 per cent YoY and 2.9 per cent in the first quarter from like period year ago.

Natural gas production increased 3.3 per cent YoY but declined 3.8 per cent in Q1 over same period year ago.

Petroleum refinery production increased 13.7 per cent YoY and 8.7 per cent in Q1 over corresponding period year ago.

Likewise, fertiliser production increased 2.5 per cent YoY and 8.6 per cent in Q1 over like period year ago.

Steel production marginally decreased 0.5 per cent YoY but increased 2.8 per cent in Q1 over same period year ago.

"Cement production increased 1.4 per cent YoY and 4.6 per cent quarterly, while electricity output went up 1.6 per cent YoY and 7.1 per cent quarterly," the statement added.

--IANS

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