New Delhi : The growth of eight core sectors slowed down to 2.6 % in August mainly due to contraction in steel output.
The expansion in eight infrastructure sectors, which contribute about 38 % to the overall industrial production, was 5.9 % in the same month last year, according to the data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.
The August output, however, was higher than the previous month when the core sectors had expanded by just 1.1 %. Steel output in the month under review declined to 5.9 % as against a positive growth of 9.4 % in August 2014.
Coal, cement and electricity output slowed down to 0.4 %, 5.4 % and 5.6 % respectively during the last month as compared to 13.2 %, 10 % and 12.9 %. The output index of eight key core industries grew 2.2% in Apr-Aug, compared with 5.6% a year ago.
