Eight core industries grow by 5.6% in December

This, due to healthy output recorded by refinery products and steel

Eight core industries register a growth of 5.6% in December 2016 on the back of healthy output recorded by refinery products and steel.

The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors -- coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity -- was 2.9% in December 2015.

It stood at 4.9% in November 2016.

The core sectors, which contribute 38% to the total industrial production, expanded 5% in April - December 2016 compared to 2.6% growth in the same period last financial year, according to data released by the commerce and industry ministry today.

Refinery products and steel