New Delhi: Industrial growth slowed down to 3.2 per cent during January this year as against 4.5 per cent in the year-ago period, mainly due to lower growth in mining, manufacturing, capital goods and consumer goods.

The quick estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) released by Central Statistical Organisation pegged the general index at 176.1 during January 2002, which is 3.2 per cent higher than that in January 2001.

The IIP grew by 2.5 per cent to 164.8 in April-January this fiscal, which is also less than 5.7 per cent in the same period last year.

Among the major groups, Electricity production was up 3.8 per cent in January from 2.5 per cent a year ago.

Growth of manufacturing sector, however, slowed down to 3.2 per cent during the month as compared to 4.7 per cent in January 2001, while Mining activities grew by only 3.4 per cent as against 5.1 per cent in the same month last fiscal.

PTI