Core sector output shrinks for fourth straight month in June, down 15%

Infra segment, refinery product impacted the most, even as contraction narrows in latest month

The fall in the output of the eight core sectors of the economy slowed in June as Unlock 1 kicked in, but the year-on-year decline was still 15 per cent as industries battled demand slump, and cash and labour shortages in the aftermath of the nationwide lockdown. In May, the core sector output had plunged 22 per cent.

According to ICRA, industrial production could have witnessed 15-20 per cent contraction in June. CARE Ratings pegged the figure at negative 20-22 per cent.

"The slightly positive factor is that the decline in growth has slowed down. Clearly, as the government started permitting more