A surge in manufacturing pushed up the country's industrial growth to 12.9 per cent in March 2007, taking the expansion during 2006-07 to 11.3 per cent.

The index of industrial production during March posted a growth of 12.9 per cent as against 8.9 per cent in the corresponding month last year.

Industrial output during 2005-06 stood at 8.2 per cent, according to figures released by the Central Statistical Organisation on Friday.

While the power sector recorded a growth of 7.2 per cent during the year, the index for mining sector went up by 5.1 per cent. Power and mining sectors had grown by 5.2 per cent and one per cent respectively during 2005-06.

During March 2007, the power sector index went up 7.9 per cent as against 3.4 per cent growth in the corresponding month last year. During the same month, mining sector grew by 6.2 per cent as against 2 per cent in March 2006.

As many as 10 out of 17 industry groups showed double digit growth during the financial year. These include wood and wood products (29.1 per cent), basic metal and alloy industry (22.8 per cent), transport equipment and parts (14.9 per cent), cotton textiles (14.8 per cent) and machinery other than transport (14 per cent).

The other industry groups recording double digit growth during 2006-07 are non-metallic mineral products (12.8 per cent), rubber, plastics, petroleum and coal products (12.7 per cent), metal products and parts (11.4 per cent) and beverage, tobacco and related products (11.3 per cent).

The sectors which did not perform well during the year are jute and other products excluding cotton (-17.2 per cent) and leather products (0.3).