<h1>India's Core Industries Growth Slows to 2.2% in April 2012; Coal and Steel Rise, Crude and Gas Decline.</h1> The Index of Eight Core Industries in India, which holds a 37.90% weight in the Index of Industrial Production, showed a growth of 2.2% in April 2012, down from 4.2% in April 2011. Cumulatively, the growth rate for 2011-12 was 4.4%, compared to 6.6% in 2010-11. Key sectors like coal and steel saw growth, with coal production increasing by 3.8% and steel by 5.8% in April 2012. However, crude oil and natural gas production declined, with crude oil decreasing by 1.3% and natural gas by 11.3%. Cement and electricity also showed growth, with cement increasing by 8.6% and electricity by 4.6%.