Riding on the back improved production in cement, finished steel, coal and electricity, the six core industries grew by 4.3 per cent in April 2009 over 2.3 per cent in the same month last year.
Growth in the six core industries — crude oil, petroleum refinery products, coal, electricity, cement and finished steel — in April-March 2008-09 was 2.7 per cent against 5.9 per cent in the previous fiscal.
Crude oil production continued to remain in the negative zone as it dipped by 3.1 per cent in April while it had registered a growth rate of 1 per cent a year ago.
Production in petroleum refinery products too dipped by 4.3 per cent in April.
Finished steel posted a growth rate of 1.6 per cent in the first month of the fiscal 2009-10 against a negative growth rate of 0.6 per cent a year ago.
Cement production increased to 11.7 per cent in April against 6.9 per cent a year ago.
Coal production increased by 13.2 per cent against 10.4 per cent in April 2008.
Similarly, electricity generation increased by 6 per cent in April against 1.4 per cent in the same month last year.
