PM calls for reliable statistics for policy making

Kolkata, Dec 24 (UNI) Expressing concern over the absence of ''reliable, timely and accurate'' data that was affecting policy decisions, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called upon the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) to focus on research in official statistics.

'' Unfortunately, there are growing concerns about the reliability, timeliness and accuracy of statistical data. Frequent revisions of important data series have added to the erosion of credibility, '' he said, speaking at the platinum jubilee celebrations of ISI here.

Dr Singh noted that statistical interference was an important part of any application, but that would be useless if the basic date were faulty or inaccurate.

He said making in any field called for reliable data on timely basis.

The Prime Minister observed that despite impressive and commendable progress since Independence, it was due to over dependence on the administrative set-up and traditional records that the system had not been able to keep pace with changing times.

'' In India, apart from questions about the quality of data, there are problems such as data gaps, duplication leading to conflicting statistics and inordinate delays in transmission and publication of data, '' he said.

The country's statistical system needed to capture the signifcant structural changes liberalisation had ushered in, Dr Singh said.

He urged ISI to focus on research in fields relevant for policy formulation and, more specifically, in the domain of official statistics.

He also asked ISI to help in the technical upgradation of data generated by various ministries of the government.

Giving an example of lapse in the country's statistical system, Dr Singh said large gaps were existing with reference to the output of fruits and vegetables and other minor crops as also estimates of meat products and fish.

The Prime Minister also announced observation of National Statistical Day on June 29.

Speaking on the occasion, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee stressed that the ISI should play a proactive role in the planning process of the country and show high level of professionalism.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said the state government had entrusted the ISI with two projects - one on socio-economic status of Muslim community and the other on actual number of unemployed youths in the state.

Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and Prof M G K Menon and president of ISI were among others present on the occasion.

UNI KDG SJC VD HT1827