The output of eight key infrastructure sectors increased 7.8 per cent in November against 5.7 per cent growth in the year-ago period, according to the official data released on Friday.

Economists said this was the lowest growth seen in the past six months.

While crude oil and cement reported a decline in output, coal, fertiliser, steel and electricity saw a decrease in their growth rates.

The output growth of eight sectors was 8.6 per cent in April-November 2023-24 against 8.1 per cent in the year-ago period.

The last low was in May when these sectors recorded a growth of 5.2 per cent.

Fiscal deficit

The government’s fiscal deficit at the end of November stood at Rs 9.06 lakh crore or 50.7 per cent of the full-year budget estimate, according to data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) on Friday.

For 2023-24, the fiscal deficit of the government is estimated to be at Rs 17.86 lakh crore or 5.9 per cent of the GDP.

The Centre received Rs 17.4 lakh crore — 64.3 per cent of corresponding BE 2023-24 of total receipts — up to November, comprising Rs 14.35 lakh crore tax revenue (net), Rs 2.84 lakh crore of non-tax revenue and Rs 25,463 crore of non-debt capital receipts.

Non-debt capital receipts consist of recovery of loans and miscellaneous capital receipts.