Hit hard by the dismal show in the agriculture sector, the economic growth slowed down to 4.3 per cent during 2002-03 as against 5.6 per cent in the previous fiscal, according to the latest official data released in New Delhi on Monday.

The decline was mainly because of the poor performance in agriculture, where growth was a negative 3.2 per cent in 2002-03, compared to 5.7 per cent during 2001-02.

Manufacturing sector, however, provided some succour with an impressive growth of 6.1 per cent during 2002-03 as against 3.4 per cent last fiscal.

Construction also chipped in with growth nearly doubling from 3.7 per cent to 7.2 per cent during the period, according to estimates released by the Central Statistical Organisation.

Financing, insurance, real estate and business services grew at 6.1 per cent as compared to 4.5 per cent during 2001-02 while growth in trade, hotels, communication and transport dipped from 8.7 per cent to 7.8 per cent.

Growth in per capita income is estimated at 2.4 per cent during 2002-03 as against the previous years estimate of 4.3 per cent.

In real terms, the per capita income during 2002-03 is estimated to attain a level of Rs 11,010 as compared to quick estimates of Rs 10,754 for 2001-02.

National Income at factor costs is estimated at Rs 11.6 lakh crore (Rs 11.6 trillion) during 2002-03 as compared to previous year's quick estimate of Rs 11.15 lakh crore (Rs 11.15 trillion) indicating a decline in growth from 6.2 per cent to 4.2 per cent.

During the last quarter of 2002-03 GDP growth declined to 4.9 per cent as compared to 6.3 per cent during 2001-02.

Manufacturing grew at 7.1 per cent during the quarter, while construction registered a growth of 7.5 per cent, trade, hotels, transport and communication grew by 8.8 per cent followed by community, social and personal services by 7.7 per cent.

At current prices the GDP growth was estimated at 7.1 per cent during 2002-03 (Rs 22.42 lakh crore or Rs 22.42 trillion) as against 9.2 per cent (Rs 20.9 lakh crore or Rs 20.90 trillion) in 2001-02, according to quick estimates for the fiscal.

National Income at factor cost at current prices is now estimated at Rs 19.86 lakh crore (Rs 19.86 trillion) during 2002-03 as compared to Rs 18.64 lakh crore (Rs 18.64 trillion) during 2001-02 showing a rise of 6.5 per cent.