Date:06/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/02/06/stories/2007020605511000.htm

Back Core sector records 8.3% growth in Dec

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New Delhi Feb. 5 Riding on the strong growth in crude petroleum production, the index of six core infrastructure industries registered a growth of 8.3 per cent in December 2006 as against 7.5 per cent in December 2005, according to an official release.

Crude petroleum output increased by 10.6 per cent in December 2006, marking a significant jump compared to a negative 8.1 per cent in December 2005.

The growth in the output of petroleum refinery products, however, slowed down registering a 6.1 per cent growth as against 9.2 per cent in December last. Coal production also slowed down marking a growth of 2.9 per cent (6.7 per cent).

The electricity sector grew by 9.1 per cent during the month, marking a three-fold jump compared to 3.4 per cent growth recorded in December 2005.

Growth in cement output during the period under review also slowed down. It increased by 7.6 per cent as against 13.4 per cent in the same month last year.

Finished steel production increased by 9.7 per cent (16.7 per cent).

For the nine-month period of April-December 2006, the overall growth in the infrastructure sectors stands at 8.3 per cent, compared to 5.5 per cent growth registered in the nine-month period of April-December 2005, the release said.