Indian Industrial output rises by 6.8 percent

(posted under - Industrial output, Economy of india) - Industrial output as measured by the index of industrial production (IIP) clocked an annual growth rate of 6.8% in July, making it the second consecutive month of buoyant industrial growth after a weak show that started last October, data released by the Central Statistical Organisation on Friday showed. The provisional IIP figure of 7.8% for June was revised upwards to 8.2%.

Analysts pointed out that a key reason behind the robust performance by the mining sector is Reliance’s KG basin facilities coming on stream during the first quarter of the current financial year. Within the manufacturing segment, the 8.8% growth in consumer goods, the highest in eight month, suggested that the domestic consumption story remains strong in India.

Inflation rises to -0.12 percent from -0.21 %

(posted under - Inflation updates) India's food prices jumped an annual 14.8 percent by end of August after a dry spell hurted crops, adding to concerns inflation could climb above the comfort zone of policy makers and herald an end to a soft monetary stance.

The widely-watched wholesale price index fell by a steeper-than-expected 0.12 percent in the 12 months to Aug. 29, its 13th successive fall, mainly due to statistical aberration caused by last year's high energy prices. The WPI figure compares with last week's 0.21 percent annual decline and a market forecast for a decline of 0.08 percent.

The food articles index accelerated to a 14.8 percent rise, from a year earlier, from 14.5 percent the previous week, as drought engulfed nearly half India's districts, hurting summer crops and forcing the government to intervene to bolster supplies and crack down on hoarding.

Finance minister says not to exceed borrowing target

India's government will not borrow more from the market than its budget target for 2009/10.

The government plans to borrow 4.51 trillion rupees ($93 billion) in the fiscal year to fund a fiscal deficit forecast at 6.8 percent of gross domestic product.

-economictimes