India's core sector grows 5.8%; fiscal deficit widens to 82.7% of RE

Growth in eight infrastructure sectors rose to a four-month high at 5.8 per cent in February. It was boosted by a low base during the same month a year ago, when the core sector contracted 3.3 per cent, official data showed. 

However, sequentially, core sector growth contracted 5.3 per cent in February, signalling growth momentum is yet to be on a strong footing. It boosted the annual growth rate to a four-month high of 5.8 per cent.

Data released by the industry department showed growth in all eight sectors contracted sequentially in February. When compared to the same month a year ago, all sectors except crude oil (-2.2 per cent) and fertilisers (-1.4 per cent) registered robust growth.