The coal sector posted the highest growth among the eight core industries for June, achieving a 14.8 percent increase, the Ministry of Coal announced on Friday. According to the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) report from the Ministry of Commerce & Industries, the coal industry index reached 186.4 points in June this year, up from 162.4 points in the same period last year. From April to June 2024-25, the cumulative index rose by 10.8 percent over the previous year.
The ICI tracks the combined and individual production performance of eight core industries: cement, coal, crude oil, electricity, fertilizers, natural gas, refinery products, and steel.
Driven by the coal sector’s substantial performance, the Combined Index of Eight Core Industries grew by 4 percent year-on-year in June 2024. The coal industry has consistently outpaced other sectors, demonstrating significantly higher growth over the past two years.
This surge can be attributed to a remarkable increase in coal production, which reached 84.71 million tonnes in June 2024, up 14.6 percent from the previous year. This growth highlights the sector’s capacity to meet the rising demand from energy and manufacturing industries.
The Ministry of Coal emphasized that this exceptional expansion is a testament to its persistent efforts and proactive initiatives, which align with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. These initiatives aim to enhance self-sufficiency and energy security in the country. The Ministry’s dedication to fostering growth in the coal sector has played a pivotal role in propelling the overall development of the eight core industries, contributing significantly to the nation’s progress.