Independence of statistical agencies will be maintained: PM

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, June 29 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today inaugurated the first ever Statistical Day, lauding the manifold contributions of late Prof P C Mahalonobis, a legendary Indian statistician, and gave an assurance that the government will maintain independence of the statistical agencies.

"We are indeed fortunate that over the years we have been able to maintain the high standards of integrity in our official statistics.

However, in such matters perceptions are as important as reality", Dr Manmhoan Singh said while addressing an audience here to mark the Statistical Day.

The day-long event has been organsied at Vigyan Bhavan.

The Prime Minister said it was for this reason that the government took a major step last year by bringing into existence the 'National Statistical Commission,' which is an independent body of professionals for guiding the official statistical system.

"Its arms length relationship with the government should give our official statistics enhanced credibility and transprency. It should also help improve the level of confidence that people and organisations have in the confidentiality of the data that they provide, thereby improving both the completness and accuracy of the data collected", he said.

The Prime Minister spoke the about two key objectives of the Commission. The first related to evolving and laying down national quality standards in different areas of statistics and the second was to exercise statistical co-ordination between Ministeries, Departments and State governments.

"I appeal to all concerned to extend full cooperation to the National Statistical Commission and to actively seek its assistance in imporving our statistical basis", he said.

Dr Manmohan Singh said the marking of the day was not confined to official statistics, but would encompas recognition of the work done by those in the field of academics, private enterprises and non-profit organisations.

"We should all be proud of our collective heritage in the field of statistics and resolve to take our country to the pinnacle of this discipline. I am certain that young statisticans from India will continue to lead the world in theoretical and applied statistic," he said.

Paying tributes to Prof Mahalanobis, Dr Manmohan Singh said he was not merely a great statistician, but considered statistics as an essential tool for guiding social and economic development. "He never accepted statistics as a purely academic discipline meant only for formal research", he said.

In his address, Minister for Statistics and Porgramme Implementation G K Vasan saluted Indian statisticans saying that without their help it would not be possible to complie the data that was needed for planning and policy purposes.

UNI

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