Starting the new financial year on a positive note, the industrial growth more than doubled to 9.4 per cent in April 2004.
The Index of Industrial Production, which grew by 4.2 per cent in April 2003, was close to the double-digit mark mainly on account of the impressive performance of electricity, manufacturing and mining sectors.
Electricity generation showed a growth of 10.7 per cent in April, while manufacturing staged 9.2 per cent growth and mining activities witnessed a 9.5 per cent growth, according to data released by the Central Statistical Organisation.
Industrial growth picked up in this fiscal from 6.9 per cent in 2003-04 and 5.7 per cent in 2002-03.
Fourteen of the total 17 industry groups witnessed positive growth in April.
Wool, silk and man-made fibre textiles witnessed the highest 88 per cent growth during the month followed by basic chemicals and chemical products (24.9 per cent), and machinery and equipment (24.4 per cent).
Food products output, however, fell by 21.9 per cent while wood and wood products witnessed a decline of 9.7 per cent, and basic metal and alloy industries by 4.9 per cent.
Consumer durables witnessed a 17.7 per cent growth in April while consumer non-durables staged a modest 3.5 per cent growth -- which led to an overall growth of 6.7 per cent in consumer goods.
Among the major heads, manufacturing sector more than doubled its growth to 9.2 per cent in April 2004 compared to 4.3 per cent a year ago. The sector grew by 7.3 per cent during the last fiscal.
Electricity generation posted a sharp revival to grow by 10.7 per cent in April 2004 compared to 1.9 per cent a year ago. It posted a 5.1 per cent growth during the last fiscal.
Mining activities were up by 9.5 per cent during April 2004 compared to 6.3 per cent a year ago. The sector witnessed a 5.2 per cent growth last fiscal.