India's core sector growth slowed to 4.8% in August, marking a second straight month of deceleration and a three-month low, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Output of coal, natural gas, crude oil and fertiliser all contracted, with fertiliser posting the steepest decline at 12.4%, while cement and electricity continued to provide support with growth of 12.5% and 11.6% respectively. Expanding government capital expenditure drove strength in construction-related sectors.