Diesel sales fell 5.2 per cent in the first half of December year-on-year, preliminary data from state-run fuel retailers showed on Wednesday, signalling that industrial growth in India has not yet reached pre-Covid-19 levels.

Diesel consumption, a key parameter linked to economic growth and which accounts for about 40 per cent of the overall refined fuel sales, fell to 2.8 million tonnes in the first half of the month.

Gasoline sales rose by an annual 9.5 per cent during the first half of the month to 1.05 million tonnes.