Growth of how many core sectors has slowed to 2.6 percent in August.
Q. Growth of how many core sectors has slowed to 2.6 percent in August on account of contraction in steel output, according to the Commerce and Industry Ministry?- Published on 01 Oct 15a. 5
b. 6
c. 7
d. 8
ANSWER: 8
The growth of eight core sectors slowed down to 2.6 per cent in August
The slowdown in growth was mainly due to contraction of steel output. Expansion in 8 infrastructure sectors contributing 38 percent to overall industrial production was 5.9 percent in August in 2014. August 2015 output was only higher than previous month where core sectors had grown by 1.1 percent. Data released by Commerce and Industry Ministry also said steel output in month under review fell to 5.9% as against positive growth of 9.4% in August 2014. Coal, cement and electricity output slowed down to 0.4 per cent, 5.4 per cent and 5.6 percent respectively during the last month, as compared to 13.2 percent, 10 per cent and 12.9 percent.
The following sectors -rude oil, natural gas, refinery products and fertilisers-recorded healthy growth. In March and April 2015, the eight industries witnessed contraction of 0.1 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively. However, in May and June the core sectors expanded by 4.4 per cent and 3 per cent respectively. In the April-August period of the current fiscal, the core sectors’ output expanded by 2.2 percent as against 5.6 percent in the first five months of 2014-15.
