India News | Eight Core Industries' Output Contracts 23.4 Pc in May

New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) The output of eight core infrastructure industries shrank by 23.4 per cent in May due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, according to the official data.

The eight core sectors had expanded by 3.8 per cent in May 2019, the data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Tuesday showed.

Also Read | West Bengal: Morning Walk Allowed From 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM, Free Ration to Poor Till June 2021, Announces CM Mamata Banerjee.

Barring fertiliser, all seven sectors - coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, steel, cement, and electricity - had recorded negative growth in May.

During April-May 2020-21, the sectors output dipped by 30 per cent as compared to 4.5 per cent in the same period previous year.

Also Read | 'We Are Allowing Morning Walks From 5:30 am to 8:30 am But Social Distancing Should be Maintained', Says Mamata Banerjee: Live News Breaking & Coronavirus Updates on June 30, 2020.

"In view of nationwide lockdown during April and May 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic, various industries - Coal, Cement, Steel, Natural Gas, Refinery, Crude Oil etc experienced substantial loss of production," the ministry said in a statement.

These eight industries accounts for 40.27 per cent in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)