Core infrastructure sector contracts for the sixth month

The core infrastructure sector contracted for the sixth month in August to 8.5 per cent, mainly because of a decline in steel, refinery products and cement output.

The eight core sectors had contracted 0.2 per cent in August 2019. The figure was revised in July to (-) 8 per cent from (-) 9.6 per cent previously. Barring coal and fertiliser, all sectors — crude, gas, refinery, steel, cement and electricity — contracted in August.