New Delhi, Jan. 31 -- The output of eight core infrastructure sectors, which accounts for two-fifths of India's industrial output, expanded by 3.8% in December-the slowest monthly pace in 14 months.

Core sector output grew at a revised 8.3% in December 2022.

The latest core sector data show that coal supported the core industries' output with a double-digit increase in production in December, while crude oil production contracted. Coal output growth, however, was the slowest since May.

The steel, natural gas, refinery products, cement, and fertilisers sectors registered single-digit output growth, show commerce ministry data issued on Wednesday.

Crude oil output declined by 1%, while electricity generation grew by 0.6% in December.

"...