A technical error, says govt on goof up on core sector numbers

New Delhi: The government on Saturday attributed the goof up in May data for growth of eight core sector industries to a “technical error” and said it was rectified within a few hours.

According to the DIPP statement, “Immediately after the Press Note (was released on Friday), a technical error was detected where the index for cement was not accurately reflected corresponding to the production figures.

“The revision of the index was suo moto carried out and the revised Press Note accordingly released on the same day i.e. 29 June,” it added.

After detection of the error in the data on Friday, the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) had issued a revised statement for growth numbers of core sector industries. Earlier in the day, the commerce and industry ministry held an internal inquiry to find out the reasons behind the goof up.

On Friday, the commerce and industry ministry had said that eight core sector industries recorded a growth of 4.6% in May on the back of surge in cement and coal output. But within three hours, the growth figure was changed to 3.8%.

The growth number in the cement sector-- 22.1% in May according to the first press statement on Friday-- was later changed to 11.3%.