June core sector growth falls to 0.4% from 4.1% in May

Growth was crimped by a contraction in production of coal, cement and refinery products

Core sector output rose a paltry 0.4% in June, as compared to the 4.1% rise in May.

There was contraction or marginal growth in six of the eight segments, with only growth in natural gas and steel pulling up the index.

Data issued by the commerce and industry ministry on Monday showed the eight core segments - coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity - cumulatively grew 2.4% in the first three months (April-June) of this financial year. This was less than half the 6.9% growth in the corresponding period of 2016-17.

April also saw