Cement, coal and steel perform weakly

New Delhi, June 11 (UNI) Weak performances by cement, coal and finished (carbon) steel led to a growth of 7.4 per cent in the index of core six infrastructure industries during April this year, as against 7.3 per cent over the same period last year.

Cement sector performed badly and registered a growth of only 5.1 per cent during April 2007, down seven per cent from a healthy rise of 12.2 per cent in April 2006, according to Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.

Coal production grew by just half a per cent during April 2007, a steep decline from growth of 3.4 per cent recorded during the corresponding month of the previous year, according to the Department of Coal.

Production of finished steel increased 8.4 per cent in April 2007 but was less by nearly two per cent from 10.1 per cent registered in April 2006, the Ministry of Steel said.

However, improved production of crude petroleum, refined petroleum products and electricity resulted in the nominal growth in the index.

Crude oil production increased 1.4 per cent in the month under review against a negative growth of 1.8 per cent in the same month of 2006, according to Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Petroleum refinery products registered a robust growth of 15.1 per cent in April-2007, up two per cent from 13.1 per cent in the corresponding period a year ago.

Electricity generation went up by a healthy 8.7 per cent in the first month of the current fiscal as against 5.9 per cent in the same month of the previous financial year, according to the Power Ministry.

UNI