Core sector growth jumps in January

Production at India's six key infrastructure industries rose by a strong 9.4% in January 2010 as against 2.2% in the same period last year, Commerce & Industry Ministry said in a statement. The index of six core industries, having a combined weight of 26.7% in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), stood at 275.1 in January 2010 as against 251.5 in January 2009, the Government data showed. Growth in India's infrastructure sector stood at 6.4% in December 2009 and was at 6% in Nov. 2009 and 3.8% in Oct. 2009.

Crude oil production grew by 9.7% in January 2010 compared to a negative growth rate of 8.1% in January 2009. Petroleum refinery production registered a growth of 3.8% in January 2010 versus a drop of 1.3% in January 2009. Cement output was up by 12.4% in January 2010 as against 8.3% in January 2009.

Steel production grew by 16.2% in January 2010 compared to 3.2% in January 2009. Electricity generation was up by 5.6% in January 2010 as opposed to a growth rate of 1.8% in January 2009. Coal output registered a growth of 6% in January 2010 versus a growth rate of 6.7% in January 2009.

During April-January 2009-10, the collective output of the six core sector industries expanded by 5.4% as against 3% in the year-ago period.