India’s core sector growth revs up to 6.1 pc in July

New Delhi: India’s core sector, comprising industries such as coal, electricity, steel, and cement, posted a 6.1 per cent growth in July after having slowed to 4 per cent in June, according to data released by the Commerce Ministry on Friday.

The growth rate of the 8 core sector industries, for the first four months of the current financial year (2024-25), now works out to 6.1 per cent compared with 6.6 per cent during the same of the previous year.

The combined Index of Eight Core Sector Industries measures the output of key sectors that include cement, coal, crude oil, electricity, fertilisers, natural gas, refinery products and steel which together have a 40 per cent weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

The growth in steel production rose to a three-month high of 7.2 per cent in July, compared with 6.7 per cent in the previous month.

Cement output rose to a four-month high of 5.5 per cent from 1.9 per cent in the previous month, reflecting a pick-up in construction activity. Petroleum production rose to an eight-month high of 6.6 per cent, while fertiliser output was at a seven-month high of 5.3 per cent as kharif sowing gathered momentum due to a better monsoon this year. The coal industry output increased by 6.8 per cent while electricity generation increased by 7.0 per cent in July.

Crude oil production continued to contract in April, while natural gas output also declined during the month.

The Finance Ministry is upbeat about the outlook ahead. Its monthly report for July states that on balance, India’s economic momentum remains intact. Despite a somewhat erratic monsoon, reservoirs have been replenished. Manufacturing and services sectors are expanding, according to the Purchasing Managers’ indices. Tax collections – especially indirect taxes, which reflect transactions – are growing healthily, and so is bank credit, according to the review. Inflation is moderating, and exports of both goods and services are doing better than they did last year. Stock markets are holding on to their levels. Foreign direct investment is looking up as gross inflows are rising, the review states.