Data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Friday showed the index of industrial production (IIP) rose an annual 1.3% in January, from an upwardly revised 0.7% in December. The sector had contracted by 0.6% in January 2020-21.
Output growth in the April to January period of the current fiscal year was at 13.7% compared with a contraction of 12% in the sameyear-earlier period.
The manufacturing sector grew by 1.1% in January compared with a contraction of 0.9%. The capital goods sector, which is seen as a key gauge of investment activity, contracted by 1.4% during the month compared with a 9% decline in January 2021. The consumer durables sector fell by 3.3% compared with a contraction of 0.1% during the year earlier month.
“Two things can be concluded. First, the pent-up demand seen in the festival months has dried up and Omicron cannot be the factor as manufacturing was not touched by the restrictions. Second, investment is still down as companies are working with surplus capacity and do not find the need to invest in capital. However, the fall in auto production can be directed more due to supply constraints than demand,” said Madan Sabnavischief economist at Bank of Baroda.