India's core sector output in May grows 16.8% year-on-year on low base

Steel, refinery products, cement, electricity, crude oil witnessed contraction due to restrictions imposed by various state governments

The output of the eight-industry core sector grew 16.8 per cent year-on-year in May as against a sharp jump of 60.9 per cent in April on account of a weak base owing to factories remaining shut due to the stringent nationwide lockdown last year.

Even as the low base effect continued in May, the impact of the second wave of the pandemic was visible, as core sector output, captured by the index of eight core industries (ICI), witnessed a 3.75 per cent fall sequentially.

Several states imposed lockdown during April-May to control the spread of the second wave of Covid-19.

During April-May, core