LD INFRA to Last

Bangalore: Coal, Steel and cement output grew by 3.8 per cent, 5.8 Coal, Steel and cement output grew by 3.8 per cent, 5.8 per cent and 8.6 per cent in April 2012. In the same month last year, coal output had grown 2.7 per cent, steel - 2.9 per cent and cement - 0.1 per cent. However, electricity generation slowed down by 4.6 per cent, from 6.4 per cent in April 2011. Meanwhile, hit hard by global woes and domestic problems, India's economic growth rate slowed to nine-year low, both in the March quarter at 5.3 per cent, as well as for the 2011-12 fiscal at 6.5 per cent, prompting the industry to demand "immediate and bold action" to arrest slowdown. Fragile economic recovery in the US and Europe and subdued business sentiments at home have affected the growth of the industrial sector.