Core sector output shrinks 0.6% in Feb

Production in six major infrastructure sectors during February 2005 was 0.6 per cent lower than last year, as production in crude petroleum, petroleum refinery products, coal and electricity was lower last year's levels.

The remaining two sectors, cement and finished steel, registered growth rates of 1.3 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively, according to data released by the government today.

The dip in production during February also pulled down the cumulative production growth in the six infrastructure sectors to 4.6 per cent during April-February, from 6.5 per cent in the same period a year ago.

During February 2004, the overall growth in the six sectors was a healthy 12.2 per cent, with all sectors barring crude petroleum registering a growth of over 10 per cent in production.

Crude production during February was 2.5 million tonnes compared with 2.7 million tonnes in February 2004. Cumulative production during April-February 2004-05 at 31.06 million tonnes was, however, marginally higher than the 30.49 million tonnes posted in 2003-04, a growth of 1.9 per cent.

Production of petroleum refinery products at 9.48 million tonnes during February was also lower than the production of 9.82 million tonnes during the corresponding period last year. Cumulative production at 108.08 million tonnes was, however, 5 per cent higher than the 102.94 million tonnes in during April-February 2003-04.

Coal production in February was stagnant at the same level as last year, around 34 million tonnes, while the cumulative production during the first 11 months of the current financial year was pegged at 336.2 million tonnes, nearly 6 per cent higher than last year.

The electricity sector also witnessed lower production during February at 45,958 million kwh, compared with 46,382 million kwh in February 2004.

Finished steel, however, bucked the trend during the month, registering a growth of around 2 per cent at 3.3 million tonnes, compared with 3.25 million tonnes during 2003-04. Cumulative growth during April-February was also higher at 36 million tonnes, compared with 35 million tonnes during the 11-month period in 2003-04.

Cement production also registered a 1 per cent growth at 10.9 million tonnes during February 2005, against 10.8 per cent in 2004 while the cumulative growth was 6.6 per cent higher at 119 million tonnes, compared with 111 million tonnes in April-February 2003-04.