Fast growing economy and need for reliable data

New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) Statistical experts today highlighted the need for building up a credible data bank of social and economic parametres necessitated by a fast-growing and rapidly expanding economy.

The high growth rate of the Indian economy coupled with dualism which marks the state of affairs has given rise to new set of economic and social problems. Sound policy formulation in both the economic and social realms has necessitated the need for generation of reliable data at a faster pace.

This was the message sent by experts at the 14th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organisations.

Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation G K Vasan today called upon statisticians at the Centre and States to evolve a standardised set of statistical products to generate comparable data.

Mr Vasan said a mechanisms to maintain quality and standards of official statistics needs improvement. The need for comparable data has become eminent as the economy and society were going through rapid transition in the current era of liberalisation, globalisation and privatisation. Nearly two thirds of the investments are coming from the private sector.

Mr Vasan said the role of the government and public sector enterprises was being redefined to be a facilitator of markets and supplier of public services to a much greater degree than in the past.

He said a World Bank assisted study on strengthening of the India Statistical project aimed at identifying specific requirements for Directorates of Economics and Statistics has been launched.

Statistical Advisers have been placed in important Ministries and Departments for better coordination.

Statistical Advisers are also being posted in State capitals to make available inputs and technical advice for policy formulation and decision making.

Chairman of the National Statistical Commission Suresh Tendulkar drew attention to the low priority being accorded to the maintenance of quality of primary data. He said technological advancements would not benefit statistics if the quality of basic data continues to be unsatisfactory.

Mr Tendulkar said even the Rangarajan Commission has observed that the quality of data at the primary level leaves much to be desired. He said wide-spread weaknesses at the basic level translate into unreliable inadequate and inaccurate statistics seriously vitiating their usefulness for policy making and throwing light on contemporary social issues.

Dr Tandulaker said the Indian Statistical System was being called upon to serve diverse and demanding stake holders. Demand for reliable and adequate data was bound to expand in terms of frequency, timely availability, and in terms of certain completely new areas.

Dr Pranab Sen, the Chief Statistician of India, spoke about the relevance of generating comprehensive data on horticulture and animal husbandry sectors. He said these sectors have not only emerged as important components of the Indian economy but were also important for improving the living conditions of Indian farmers.

He said in the first instance the Department would work towards revamping the existing horticulture data system.

The Conference was organised by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation to exchange views and discuss the common interests of statistical activities relating to Central and State governments.

It will discuss measures aimed at strengthening State Statistical Bureaus including core statistics and role of Statistical Advisers, basic Statistics for Local Level Development, problem of Horticulture Statistics.

UNI