Vasan urges to develop strong database on socio economic parameters

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation, G K Vasan today called upon the Statisticians to develop a strong data base on various socio-economic parameters to help the Central and State Governments in developing planning and policy formulation.

Inaugurating the two-day conference of Central and State Statistical Organisation on 'Training of Trainers' for 64th Round of National Sample Survey (NSS) he said core statistics critical to the development of economy should be identified to evolve national policies and priorities relating to the statistical system.

He said the statistical system is being re-engineered to produce reliable and timely data on all important aspects to guide the development strategy.

Statistical advice has more reliable and timely solutions than committee of experts. To formulate effective policies and programmes for eliminating poverty, the statistical system need to provide reliable data base for estimating the incidence of poverty in different regions, he said.

Mr Vasan said the subjects for 64th Round have been picked up keeping in mind the priorities of Government and objectives of the 11th Five-Year Plan. Beginning from July 1, 2007 the NSS would cover expenditure in education, migration, employment and unemployment and consumer expenditure.

The subjects would provide sound data base for taking evidence based policy decisions in these critical sectors in conjunction with the objectives and priorities of the Central Government.

The Chairman of the National Statistical Commission (NSC), Prof S D Tendulkar said the collection of statistics act is being amended to bring even the socio-economic survey under the ambit of the Act.

The initiative would fail in achieving the objective unless investigators have the skill to establish rapport with the respondents and collect quality data. He said a comprehensive survey on education is being carried out after a gap of over ten years.

New items of information have been included in the survey instruments to capture information on drop outs, frequency of migration from one institute to another, number of courses simultaneously pursued and great stagnation.

The survey would contribute significantly to understanding education scenario in the country. He said drop out from the education system despite governmental intervention including Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is a major cause of concern.

Data would also be collected on seasonal migration or movement in search of employment to enlighten planners on the socio-economic implications of this dimension.

Dr Pronab Sen, Chief Statistician of India said that the era of liberalisation has ushered in significant structural changes in the economy which need to be captured by the statistical system.

Consequent changes in the role and responsibility of NSS in meeting these demands has been most pertinent issue.

UNI

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