Core industries grow 5% in March, fastest in 3 months

HYDERABAD (AP) -11-09-2013 - BL / REPORT: VRK: Electricity Employees Strike to hit Generation and Transmission in A.P : The strike from 12th September ( Friday) by the Electricity employees of Engineers and workers working under APGENCO, APTRANSCO and APDISCOMs opposing the bifurcation of the State is likely to hamper the grid and throw several parts of the State into a power crisis despite the copiuos rain fall and good inflows into Hydel Power Stations . In the picture is the Kothagudem Thermal Power Station in Khammam District of the State transmitting power to the grid . -PHOTO: P_V_SIVAKUMAR

The eight core industries grew by 5% in March, fastest in three months, on the back of higher coal and steel production.

The growth rate of eight infrastructure sectors — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity — was, however, lower than 9.3% recorded in March last year.

As per the government data released today, coal production increased by 10% in March as against 2.5% a year ago.

Steel (alloy and non-alloy) production was up 11% while it had expanded by 7.8% in March 2016.

Electricity generation was up by 5.9%. Crude oil and natural gas production was 0.9% and 8.3%, on an annual basis.

On the other hand, cement production declined by 6.8% in March this and also fertiliser output (-0.8%).

There was also decline in production of refinery products (-0.3%).

The core industries, which contribute 38% to the total industrial production, had expanded by 1% in February and 3.4% in March. The expansion was recorded at 5.6% in December.

On a cumulative basis, the infrastructure industries grew by 4.5% last financial year ended March 2017, higher than 4% recorded in the previous fiscal.