The six core industries grew by 2.8 per cent in May 2009 against 3.1 per cent in the same month last year on improved production in cement, coal and electricity.

The growth rate of six core industries -- crude oil, petroleum refinery products, coal, electricity, cement and finished steel -- was 4.3 per cent in April.

Cement production increased by 11.6 per cent in May against 3.8 per cent a year ago, while coal production rose by 10.2 per cent during the month against 8.8 per cent in May 2008.

Electricity generation grew by 3.3 per cent in May 2009 against a growth rate 2 per cent in the same month last year.

However, crude oil production contracted by 4.3 per cent in May, while it had a growth rate of 3.2 per cent in the same month last year.

Production in petroleum refinery products too shrank by 4.3 per cent in May compared to a growth rate of 0.1 per cent in May 2008.

Finished steel posted a growth rate of 1.4 per cent in the second month of 2009-10 fiscal against 3.3 per cent in the same month last year.