India Industrial Production Growth Softens

(RTTNews) - India's industrial production grew at a slower pace in September, reflecting the contraction in mining output amid slower growth in manufacturing and electricity production, official data revealed Wednesday.

Industrial output climbed 6.7 percent from a year ago, following a 7.8 percent rise in August, the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation reported. Production was forecast to grow 7.2 percent in September.

Overall production was largely weighed down by the decline in mining activity as output shrank 6.2 percent, which was sharper than the 4.6 drop seen in August.

At the same time, annual growth in manufacturing output slowed to 7.6 percent from 8.6 percent. Electricity output logged a strong expansion of 11.2 percent but weaker than the last month's 12.3 percent increase.

Water supply, sewerage and waste management posted 5.8 percent increase compared to an increase of 6.3 percent in August.

During April to September, industrial production increased 6.8 percent, faster than the 4.4 percent rise in the same period last year.