Manufacturing sector growth slips into negative zone: CII

NEW DELHI: Under the impact of downturn, a third of India's manufacturing sector slipped into negative zone during April-December 2008 over the same period last year, according to a survey by industry chamber CII.

Of the 96 manufacturing segments covered under the CII-Ascon survey, 32 showed a negative growth.

The domestic manufacturing sector is the second largest employment generator after agriculture.

The worst hit segments include fertiliser, polymers, steel, pig iron, motor starters, castings, textile machinery, distribution transformer, HCV's, LCVs, rubber footwear and auto cycle tubes, the survey said.

"Manufacturing sector, reeling under the impact of global financial crisis has reported slowdown in production during the first three quarters of the fiscal," it said, adding that compared to last year, over 78 per cent of the sectors are in low and negative growth category.

It further said that sectors like cement, tractors, electric fans, vehicle industry including mopeds, scooters, cars, motorcycles, automotive tyres have recorded a moderate growth rate.

On the export side, the survey said 11 out of 23 sectors reported negative growth. "With exception of few sectors like cars and motor cycles did not clock good growth. Cement, castings, industrial valves, textile machinery and commercial vehicles have reported negative growth."

CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said that with inflation declining, conditions are favourable for further cut in interest rates to stimulate demand and help arrest further slowdown in the manufacturing sector.