India's core sector growth slips to 8-month low of 4.2% in August

8 segments cumulatively grew 5.5% in first five months

The eight core sectors of the economy saw growth slide to an eight-month low of 4.2 per cent in August, down from a revised 7.3 per cent in July. 

A sustained slowdown in the energy segment along with lower growth in most sectors other than cement production led to a sluggish rise in growth.

Contributing 40 per cent to the total industrial production, output of the core sectors saw lower growth across a majority of sectors (five). A similar trend was also seen in July.

Data released by the commerce and industry ministry on Monday showed that eight segments — coal, crude oil,