Core sector output declined 5.8 percent in October

(PTI) New Delhi, Ta. November 29, 2019, Friday

For the second consecutive month, the output of core sectors declined by 5.8 per cent in October. This decline is the largest in the last ten years. The data from the core sector shows that a dire downturn is prevailing in the country.

Out of the eight core sectors, six sectors - coal, crude oil, natural gas, cement, steel and electricity - saw a decline in October. In October, coal production declined by 17.6 percent, crude oil production by 5.1 percent, natural gas production by 5.7 percent, cement production by 7.7 percent, steel production by 1.6 percent and electricity production by 12.4 percent.

Fertilizer production alone increased by 11.8 percent. Production of refinery products declined by 0.4 percent. It is noteworthy that in October 2018, the core sector output witnessed a 4.8 per cent jump.

Talking about the period from April to October, the production of core sectors has declined by 0.2 per cent. Last year, the core sector output grew by 5.4%. In September 2019, the core sector output declined by 5.1 percent.