Double whammy: India's factory output falls, retail inflation rises


New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS): Hopes of a revival in India's manufacturing activity after a sharp spike in October were belied, with factory output actually registering a fall in the month after at a four-year low, according to official figures released on Tuesday.

To deal a further blow, the annual retail inflation also crept up to 5.61 percent in December.

According to data on index of industrial production (IIP) released by the Central Statistics Office, the country's factory output declined by 3.19 percent in November, due mainly to a (-)4.4 percent drop in manufacturing activity.

The cumulative growth of the country's factory output was also pulled down to 3.9 percent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year from 4.8 percent for the first seven months.

Between the other broader indices, electricity production was up marginally by 0.7 percent, while that for mining was at 2.3 percent.

The cumulative growth of the two indices for the first eight months of the current fiscal were 4.6 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. Manufacturing's cumulative growth stood at 3.9 percent.

In addition, the data revealed that among the six use-based classifications of the index, the output of consumer durables segment expanded by 12.5 percent in November. The consumer goods segment accelerated by 1.3 percent.

However, capital goods segment, which is a key indicator of economic activity plunged by (-)24.4 percent. The output of consumer non-durables was lower by (-)4.7 percent.

The basic and intermediate goods' output inched-down by (-)0.7 percent each.

Overall, 17 out of the 22 industry groups in the manufacturing sector have shown negative growth during the month under review.

Segment-wise, growth was witnessed in 'gems and jewellery' (253.7 percent), 'sugar machinery' (78 percent), 'lubricating oil' (66.5 percent), 'wood furniture' (46.9 percent), 'PVC pipes and tubes' (31.4 percent) and 'sugar' (25.7 percent).

Moreover, high negative growth was reported in the 'cable, rubber insulated' (- 87.1 percent), 'polythene bags' (- 58 percent), 'tractors' (- 42.3 percent), 'conductor, aluminium' (- 36.8 percent), 'rice' (- 27.1 percent) and 'three-wheelers' (- 23.7 percent).

In the case of prices, as pulses continued to remain dear, the country's annual retail inflation moved up further to 5.61 percent in December from 5.41 percent during the month before, the official data showed.

According to the numbers on the consumer price index, the annual rate of inflation, December-on-December, was distinctly higher in rural areas at 6.32 percent against 4.73 percent in the cities and towns.

The retail food inflation during the month under review was 6.4 percent for India as a whole, as against 6.07 percent in the month before. In the rural and urban areas, the annual inflation rates for food items were 6.41 percent and 6.31 percent, respectively.

The official data further showed that prices of pulses were up 45.92 percent over those prevailing during the past year. Cost of spices and vegetables edged-up by 10.83 percent and 4.63 percent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis.

Prices of meat products were up by 6.57 percent. Other protein based food items like milk and milk based products became expensive by 3.94 percent. Eggs' cost rose by 0.97 percent.

Instead, in a worsening of the crisis for millers, retail inflation in sugar fell by (-)6.16 percent.

Similarly, cost of other categories under the general index rose during the month under review. The inflation percentage in December was higher in "clothing and footwear" at over 5 percent each, and "fuel and light" at 5.45 percent. Housing was costlier by 5.06 percent.

Among the states, the maximum inflation of 9.28 percent was reported from Andhra Pradesh, followed by 7.44 percent for Odisha, 7.21 percent for Karnataka, 6.81 percent for Chhattisgarh and 6.69 percent for Tamil Nadu.

The inflation levels for the Delhi region stood at 4.53 percent.

The latest macro-economic data provoked the concern of industry chambers.

"The steep fall in the manufacturing sector growth is because both the export and domestic demand, especially the rural demand have slowed down. It also underlines the need for more measures to stimulate investments and deeper structural reforms" said Harshavardhan Neotia, president of FICCI, in a statement here.

"The slowdown in export may impact the growth of manufacturing," he said.

"The severe downfall in IIP numbers to -3.2 percent in November 2015 is a major worrying factor as the industry was expected to grow in a good growth trajectory, said Mahesh Gupta, president, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in a statement here.

"Slowdown in domestic demand is a major factor and government must take demand boosting measures to help industry growth to revive in the coming times', he added.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Promenade Road,Fraze Town,B'lore 560005

    Thu, Jan 14 2016

    Nation will never improve in any field when there is lack of proper positive direction.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Wed, Jan 13 2016

    Mark my words - Last week I had stated BJP is mixing up Growth & Inflation FIGURES ...

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Wed, Jan 13 2016

    Maharastra Government introduced the beef handling penalty 5 years prison term and Rs. 10000 penalty.

    In the recent Municipal and Panchyanth election, in 345 wards,Congress got 105 seats, NCP 80, Siva Sena 59 and the aache din mantra party 39, the 4th rank.

    The electorate of India can't raise their voice against intolerance, they are spies, but the big red letter writing on the wall can be read without eye glasses now how they are fed up with the Bhart Joker's Party which has undermined the religious harmony of India.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • SMR, Karkala

    Wed, Jan 13 2016

    Despite Modi sarkar's tall claims, it's bure din for Indian economy

    What is the state of big business, which is often expected to indicate economic trends. In a word, very bad. Here's a look:

    1) Reliance (Anil Ambani) in March 2015 was in debt of Rs 1.25 lakh crore.

    2) Vedanta Group was in debt of Rs 1.03 lakh crore.

    3) Essar owed Rs 1.01 lakh crore.

    4) Adani Group was in debt of Rs 96,031 crore.

    5) Jaypee Group was in debt by Rs 75,163 crore.

    6) JSW (Sajjan Jindal) is indebted by Rs 58,171 crore.

    7) GMR Group owes creditors Rs 49, 976 crore.

    8) Lanco Group owes Rs 47,102 crores.

    9) Videocon Group is in debt of Rs 45,405 crore.

    10) GVK Group is in debt by Rs 33,933 crore.

    Make in India, has become "Make believe in India."

    Jai Hind

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Wed, Jan 13 2016

    SMR, Karkala
    Yes, these are the right figures. Finally, many of the loans will be written off as bad debt and remain in the bank as NPA. The biggest problem is, many of the companies have stopped paying interest and matured principal amount to depositors. Neither SEBI, MCA, CLB nor govt are helping the depositors to get their dues. How can retail investors go to court with lawyer fees are more than the deposit amount. A lot of senior citizens are really suffering due to this govt apathy.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • SMR, Karkala

    Wed, Jan 13 2016

    I was expected highly inflation is only for Dal,tomato,onions....

    Just 2 years BJP rule, Indian Rupees is reaching 'Mangalyaan' and Crude oil dipping to ocean depths.

    Vegetable is unaffordable,beef is ban.Ab ki baar Modi sarkar 'Yoga' karo aur pet baro.

    Jai Hind

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Wed, Jan 13 2016

    Finally only yoga and Sun worship left. See the outpouring of FDI in trillions.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Tue, Jan 12 2016

    Without blaming Congress or BJP, I am just writing the situation of today. Statistically speaking, we are at catch 22 situation. Total Market capitalization of Indian shares has come down. From 2015, hundreds of companies have stopped paying interest and principal amount of fixed depositors. Specially, many housing companies, such as Unitech, Jayprakash etc. etc. Millions of Senior citizens are in difficulty due to this. Neither Sebi, MCA, CLB nor govt are helping depositors to get their dues. The unsold housing inventory is going up. In Mumbai more than 2 lakh apartments are unsold, while the prices are not coming down. 1 BHK apartment costs one crore. Prices of essential items are also rising. May be there are different factors behind this, but, it is a ground reality.

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Tue, Jan 12 2016

    CITIZENS ARE REMEMBERING DR. MANMOHAN SINGHJI'S QUIET ADMINISTRATION.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Salvador Pereira, Mangalore / Dubai

    Tue, Jan 12 2016

    Result of difference between 2 PM's strategies. Sree Manmohan Sigh a scholar and a mere business mentality man.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • geoffrey, hat hill

    Tue, Jan 12 2016

    Moronic devotees will attribute this to 60y rule as usual.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Tue, Jan 12 2016

    Effects from the Cow Government's Cattle Class Governance.

    World Tours in citizens tax paid money.

    Ship and Ships loads of FDI in India are the results of double whammy and falling of factory output.

    Now even the blinds perceive Make in India from Made in Foreign.

    24X7 BHAASHANS AND MONKEY BAATH CANNOT CONVERT INTO DEVELOPMENT.

    GOD ONLY SHOULD BLESS INDIA AND GIVE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE TO THIS CORRUPT RSS COW GOVERNMENT.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • stan, dubai

    Tue, Jan 12 2016

    This Govenment came to power with the mantra of ‘SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikas’ and stock prices went up. Now Stock prices are coming down, factory output falls and retail inflation rises..... what is the reason????????

    DisAgree [1] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Tue, Jan 12 2016

    The mantra ministry is reaping a great harvest through milking the consumers in the oil looting. The price of crude oil was $ 147.00/bl in July 2008, now $ 32.00/bl. What difference in price when compared with July 2008
    and today? In June 2014, it was $ 115, based on that price make a comparison in the price in India now.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse


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