Country's Industrial output rose by a robust 16.8% in December as against a rise of 11.7 percent in November. Index of Industrial Production December numbers were way above estimates as the industry grew by 8.6% in the first nine months of this fiscal. The dazzling industrial growth reflects the results yielded by the three stimulus packages of the government to perk up industry, which was hit by the global economic downturn. For the first nine months of the current fiscal, industrial growth stood at 8.6 per cent, against 3.6 per cent a year earlier. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today described the industrial output in December as encouraging and said it would have a positive bearing on the economic growth figures for the current fiscal. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Mr Mukherjee said IIP growth rate in December is quite encouraging. He expressed hope that third quarter GDP figures will also be encouraging. Our correspondent repots Mr Mukherjee, who is gearing up to present the Budget 2010-11 on February 26, suggested that the higher industrial output during the month might push up the GDP for the third quarter and subsequently for the fiscal.Planning Commission deputy chairman, Dr Montek Singh Alhuwalia said the various stimulus measures taken by the government has proved fruitful. He said it has led to revival of industry.