The Indian industrial growth shot up to 7.4 per cent during February of the last fiscal year, giving a further boost to government's 'India Shining' campaign ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The industry grew at 6.7 per cent during April-February, 2003-04, as against 5.8 per cent during the same period of the previous fiscal, according to estimates by the Central Statistical Organisation.

The estimated 6.7 per cent growth during the first 11 months of 2003-04 has been mainly on account of a 7.2 per cent growth by the manufacturing sector besides double digit growth in the machinery and transport equipment sector.

Estimates based on use-based calculation state that the capital goods sector, during the first 11 months, grew at 11.9 per cent as against 10.5 per cent during April-February, 2002-03.

While the "intermediate goods" sector rose by 6.3 per cent as against 3.5 per cent, the "basic goods" rose by 5.3 per cent as against 4.8 per cent during the period under review.

The quick-estimates of index of industrial production suggest that the indices for mining, manufacturing and electricity sectors for February 2004 stood at 9.6 per cent, 6.7 per cent and 12.1 per cent as compared to February 2003.

The IIP growth for February 2003 stood at 7 per cent.

Twelve of the 17 two-digit industry groups have shown positive growth during February 2004 as compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.

During the period, "machinery and equipment other than transport equipment" have shown the highest growth of 34.7 per cent followed by 17.6 per cent in "wool, silk and man-made fibre textiles" and 16.8 per cent in "basic chemicals and chemical products (except products of petroleum and coal).

On the other hand, "textile products (including wearing apparel)" have shown a negative growth of 15 per cent followed by a decline of 14.4 per cent in "food products" and 13.4 per cent in "leather and leather and fur products" during February 2004.