IIP numbers at 4.8 pc for September

Mumbai, Nov 12: The index of industrial production (IIP) rose by 4.8 per cent in September 2008 as against 1.4 pc in August 2008.

The manufacturing sector grew by 4.8 per cent as against 7.4 per cent last year. Electricity sector growth remained almost the same at 4.4 per cent as against 4.5 per cent in September 2007. The mining sector improved its performance by indicating 5.7 per cent growth as against 4.9 per cent. Terming the IIP figures encouraging, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the growth in consumer goods has been a satisfactory 5.6 per cent as against -0.2 per cent in September 2007.

"The growth in the capital goods sector has been an impressive 18.8 per cent as against 20.9 per cent in September 2007. After the poor results reported for the month of August 2008, the quick estimates of IIP for the month of September 2008 are more encouraging. I say this even while I maintain that data collection must be improved and made more relevant, contemporary and universal," Chidambaram said.

The cumulative increase in industrial production during April-September 2008 period was 4.9 per cent as against 9.5 per cent during the corresponding period last year.

The IIP rose by 1.3 per cent in August 2008 as against 10.9 per cent during the corresponding period last year.

OneIndia News (With input from agencies)