New Delhi, Apr 3 (KNN) The core sector registered a positive trend of 5.3 per cent in February resting on a rise in the output of cement and fertilisers, data from government revealed.

According to the data, cement output increased by over 22.9 per cent while it stood at 19.6 per cent in the month of January.

Likewise, fertiliser production in February registered a 5.3 per cent increase making the figure positive as compared to a 1.6 per cent decline in January.

With regard to the year on year data, factory output grew at 0.6 per cent in February 2017.

The eight infrastructure sectors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity, constitute 40.27 per cent of the total industrial production.

The data further revealed that Petroleum refinery production rose by 7.8 per cent in February against a 2.8 per cent fall in the year-ago month. Fertiliser and cement production rose 5.3 per cent and 22.9 per cent, respectively. The electricity generation grew 4 per cent in February against 1.2 per cent growth in February 2017.

Commenting over the latest figures, Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist at CARE Ratings in a press interview said that cement continues to be the prime factor driving growth. He further said that infra expenditure by the government is to play a role in subsequent months. (With PIB Inputs & media report) (KNN/ DA)