Eight core industries' output contracts 2.6% in Nov

The output of India’s core industries deteriorated once again in November, after recovering till September 2020. Contracting for the ninth consecutive month, the output of India's eight core infrastructure sectors dropped by 2.6 per cent in November, mainly due to decline in production of natural gas, refinery products, steel and cement. Data released by the industry department for November shows the output of crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, steel and cement declined by (-)4.9 per cent, (-)9.3 per cent, (-)4.8 per cent, (-)4.4 per cent, and (-)7.1 per cent, respectively. On the other hand, coal and electricity sector output grew by 2.9 per cent and 2.2 per cent during the month under review.