Core sectors' output soars by 56.1% in April due to low base effect

But it is down 15% sequentially due to second wave

Growth in the eight core sectors rose sharply by 56.1 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in April, mainly due to the low base effect, data released by the commerce and industry ministry showed on Monday.

Growth in April, 2021 was also driven by a massive jump in steel and cement output. Core sector output in April 2020 shrank by a record 37.9 per cent, as factories remained clo­sed across the country and production came to a virtual halt. This was due to the imposition of a Covid-induced lockdown during April-May last year.

However, on a sequential basis, core sector output, as