Industrial Output Up 5.2%

The quick estimates of the Index of Industrial Production shows a 5.2 per cent increase in the general index in June 1998 over June last year. The highest increase of 9.8 per cent was recorded by the electricity sector followed by 5 per cent for manufacturing and 2.1 per cent for mining.

Releasing the quick estimates yesterday, the Central Statistical Organisation said the general index stood at 137.2 per cent in June. This, however, is a small decrease compared to the index of 138.1 in May. The quick estimates for June show the rise has been spread over all the three major sectors. The index was 117 for mining, 140 for manufacturing and 135 for electricity. The index for these three sectors in June last year were 114.6, 133.4 and 123.

However, the rate of growth in general index has fallen from 6.4 per cent in June last year to 5.2 per cent in June this year. The index for June this year also reflects a sharp decline from the high level of 152.1 last March.

The April-June average this year is 137.5 as compared to 130.4 in the same period last year. Even the rate of growth in April-June this year was higher at 5.4 per cent, compared to 3.7 per cent in the same period last year.

Twelve out of 17 two-digit industry groups have shown positive growth during June. Metal products and parts (except machinery and equipment) have registered the highest growth of 28.4 per cent followed by 20.6 per cent for beverages, tobacco and related products while the growth is 19.7 per cent for transportation equipment and parts.

As per the use-based classification carried out by the Central Statitical Organisation, the growth was 7.1 per cent in intermediate goods, 4.8 per cent in basic goods and 2.5 per cent in capital goods in June this year compared to the same month last year. The consumer durables and consumer non-durables have recorded growth of 2.6 per cent and 5.4 per cent respectively. The overall growth of consumer goods was 4.7 per cent.

The April-June period this year has also yielded a higher index in each of the use-based categories like basic, capital, intermediate and consumer goods as compared to the same period in 1997. The rise in the basic goods sector is from 125.9 in April-June 1997 to 130.8 in April-June,1998. Similarly, in the capital goods sector, the growth is from 108.2 to 120.1, in intermediate goods, from 141.9 to 151.8, in consumer goods, from 132.9 to 138.3, in consumer durables, from 151.8 to 160.8 and in non-consumer durables, from 128.7 to 133.4 between April-June 1997 and April-June 1998.