The six core sectors -- crude oil, petroleum refinery products, coal, electricity, cememt and finished steel -- had expanded by 4.3 per cent in September 2009. Petroleum refinery output and coal production contracted by 10.2 per cent and 2 per cent, compared to a growth of 3.4 per cent and 6.5 per cent respectively during the same month last year, an industry department release said.
While crude oil production grew by 12.5 per cent, electricity generation growth slowed to 1.3 per cent in September. Cement production grew by 5.2 per cent and finished steel by 5.8 per cent.
During April-September period the core sector, which contribute about 27 per cent in IIP, grew by 4 per cent, against 4.5 per cent in 2009-10. In August the core sector industries grew by 3.9 per cent.