The growth of six core infrastructure industries declined to 5.6 per cent in 2007-08 from 9.2 per cent in 2006-07. However, in March , the growth in these sectors stood at 9.6 per cent compared to 10.5 per cent in March 2007, according to the latest data released by the Government here on Thursday. In the last fiscal, crude oil production went up by 0.4 per cent against 5.6 per cent in 2006-07, while petroleum refinery products grew by 6.5 per cent against 12.9 per cent. Similarly, coal production grew by 6 per cent in 2007-08 compared to 5.9 per cent in 2006-07, power generation by 6.3 per cent against 7.3 per cent, cement production by 8.1 per cent against 9.1 per cent, and finished (carbon) steel by 5.1 per cent against 13.1 per cent. However, in March this year, three of the six core industries performed badly as crude oil production declined by 0.3 per cent, petroleum refinery output remained stagnant and electricity generation grew by just 3.6 per cent in March compared to eight per cent a year ago. It was mainly finished steel and cement, which pushed up the growth of six infrastructure industries in March. Finished steel production grew by 21.8 per cent from 16.6 per cent, while cement output rose by 9.3 per cent from 5.5 per cent. Coal production growth dipped by 9.3 per cent from 10.6 per cent during the month. Commenting on the data, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said the spurt in the steel and cement production among the core sector would help stabilise the current spurt in prices of these items. The hike in steel and cement prices recently had contributed to the inflationary trend and the rise in production would hopefully take care of the growing demand for steel and cement from manufacturing and construction industries and stabilise overall prices. Steel is used by a large section of the manufacturing industry and lower steel prices will help the manufacturing sector to hold price line. Besides, cement is important and these two items are vital for the construction industry. This is good news for the overall economy as well for the price stability, it added.