Statistics meet to be inaugurated by PM

New Delhi, Sep 7: The need for greater focus on statistical activities in public administration and policy initiatives at the highest level will be highlighted at a national conference of ministers in-charge of Statistics of States and Union Territories being held here on September 9. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the conference which will pay particular attention to the impact of globalisation and the demand for sub-national data for both policy analysis in respect of removal of poverty and enhancing economic growth.

Besides, the ministers incharge of Statistics of States or union territories, the meet would be attended by the Principal Secretaries (Planning) and Directors of Economic and Statistics of states/UTs.

Chairman and Members of the National Statistical Commission; Chairman and Members of 13th Finance Commission; Members of Planning Commission and Senior Statisticians from central ministries/departments are also likely to attend the one-day event.

Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation will chair the technical session.

The conference would deliberate on the issues of imparting independence and impartiality to official statistics with the objective of improving the credibility of official statistics, improving horizontal and vertical coordination of statistical activities across departments and institutional strengthening of state statistical system.

Particular focus will be on development of local panchayati raj level statistics and its integration with the state statistical system for local level development.

UNI