Infra sector grows by 5.3 per cent

The six core sectors, which contribute 26.7 per cent to the overall Index for Industrial Production (IIP), improved on their October performance of 3.8 per cent.

In November 2008, the six sectors grew by 0.8 per cent.

Steel emerged the best performer with an expansion of 11.7 per cent in November, turning the corner from a negative 6.3 per cent a year ago. Petroleum refinery products also showed an uptick at 4.9 per cent after contracting by 1.1 per cent last year.

Cement remained solid growing at 9 per cent against 8.7 per cent last year. However, electricity and crude oil remained areas of concern, contracting 1.8 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively. However, the core sector numbers failed to please India’s Chief Statistician Pranab Sen.