New Delhi, Nov 30 (PTI) The growth rate in the production of eight key sectors slowed down to a 20-month low of 0.1 per cent in October on account of contraction in the output of crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, and cement, according to the official data released on Wednesday.

In October last year, these sectors expanded by 8.7 per cent. In September this year, the core sectors' output growth stood at 7.8 per cent.

Also Read | Chhattisgarh Shocker: Man Jumps Before Moving Train to Death in Bilaspur After His Father Allegedly Beaten Up by Cop.

Last time it was in February 2021, when the eight infrastructure sectors -- coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity -- recorded a negative growth of 3.3 per cent.

The growth rate during April-October this fiscal was 8.2 per cent as against 15.6 per cent a year ago.

Also Read | Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik-Led Cabinet Approves Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility Policy 2022.

In October, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, and cement output recorded negative growth rate.

However, fertiliser output rose by 5.4 per cent in the month under review.

The growth rate in the production of coal, steel and electricity slowed down to 3.6 per cent, 4 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively.

These numbers have implications on the IIP (index of industrial production) data.

The IIP data for October is expected to be released by the government in the second week of December.

The eight core industries contribute 40.27 per cent in the IIP.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)