Industrial output grows 10% in Oct

Manufacturing sees robust growth

Industrial output saw its fastest growth during October, riding a robust growth in the manufacturing sector. Output rose by 10.1 per cent during the month compared to an 8.7 per cent growth in September and 7.9 per cent in August and July.

Industrial growth was 8.4 per cent in the April-October period, compared to 6.2 per cent in the corresponding period last year.

The manufacturing sector recorded a 11.3 per cent growth in October, picking up from 8 per cent in September. The growth was 7.1 per cent a year ago. During the first seven months of the current fiscal, the sector grew by 8.8 per cent compared with 6.8 per cent in 2003-04.

Mining was up by 4.7 per cent and electricity by 3.8 per cent in October. Mining activities grew by 5 per cent in April-October, from 3.9 per cent during the same period last year. Electricity generation was up by 7.1 per cent till October, up from 2.9 per cent in April-October 2004.

The capital goods sector, which mirrors industrial activity, increased by 19.2 per cent in the year through October, higher than September's 15.1 per cent.

Of the 17 industry groups, 12 posted growth during October. The 'other manufacturing industries' group recorded 40.9 per cent growth, followed by textile products, which rose by 24.4 per cent, and machinery and equipment by 21 per cent.

As per use-based classification, basic goods posted a growth of 6.8 per cent, capital goods rose by 19.2 per cent and intermediate goods grew by 6.7 per cent, during the month.

Consumer durables, ranging from soaps to televisions, recorded a healthy 15.5 per cent growth over September's growth of 10 per cent . Consumer non-durables grew by 14 per cent in October.