Statisticians review Indian Statistical strengthening project

20th CONFERENCE OF CENTRAL AND STATE STATISTICAL ORGANIZATION BEGINS IN GANGTOK
GANGTOK, 10 Jan: Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso inaugurated the two-day 20th conference of Central and State Statistical Organization in the presence of Chief Statistician and Secretary, Ministry of Statistic and Program Implementation, Govt. of India (MSPI), Dr. TCA Anant at Chintan Bhawan here today. The conference is being hosted by DESME and is being organized by the MSPI.
The two-day conference is being attended by representatives of statistic offices of States and Union Territories who will deliberate on issues relating to industrial statistics, annual survey of industries, its present status and issues, urban statistics, information technology initiatives in statistics and also review the Indian Statistical strengthening project. It will also review the action taken on the recommendations of 19th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organization (COCSSO).
Highlighting the importance of the annual conference, Chief Statistician and Secretary, Ministry of Statistic and Program Implementation, Dr. TCA Anant informed that it is a premier platform to study and discuss threadbare the concerns and emerging challenges to raise the standard of statistical parameters. Dr. Anant also urged the states to generate and release data according to agreed common and standard calendar.
“This meeting gives us the chance to ensure better coordination between statistical departments in the country and since statistics is knowledge we will deliberate and be the backbone of the government’s assessment,” he stated.
In his address the DESME, Secretary, SD Tshering stated that Sikkim is one of the first states in the country to sign an MoU on the India Statistical Strengthening Project and under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling one of the few states to establish a separate department for statistical work and survey in the state even before the centre had intimated the state to do so.
“I want to thank the ministry for selecting Sikkim as the venue to host this prestigious meet. I hope that the deliberations will help us improve statistical tools and discuss some important issues,” stated the Secretary.
Addressing the conference, Additional Director General, CSO, Ashish Kumar informed that efforts on part of the organization have resulted into a number of initiatives to improve infrastructure scenario of the country. He also urged the states to undertake work on sampling of non sampled areas. Crucial statistical data on critical areas help in better policy formation, he added. He also informed that the two-day conference would try to identify areas of weakness and bridge the gap within 4-5 years.
It was also informed today that the meeting would discuss the means to improve the existing infrastructure in the country. It was mentioned that apart from the grants from the centre, a separate means to develop infrastructure through the 13th finance commission has also been initiated. This grant actually is for identification of weak areas and in the process bridge the gap.

Light was also shed on the recognition of urban and industrial statistics, an area that needed much deliberation and work. Firmer means to collect data along with appropriate knowledge for the different state governments to monitor these two areas for micro level planning will also be discussed during the programme. Other areas where the participants will deliberate upon will be the annual survey of industries, inclusion of areas of survey under central ASI, new census estimate of urbanization and feedback from the different states on the 13th finance commission.

“These deliberations will help in GSDP estimates and other areas and facilitate better policy making and knowledge. This conference is a premier platform to discuss areas of concern. Last year the meeting was held in Jaipur, we will also review the progress, capital formation and simultaneously plan for the future,” shared the ADG (NAD)/ADG (CAP), Mr. Aditya in his address.
On the occasion a manual on Disability Statistic 2012 was also released by the chief guest, Chief Secratary, Karma Gyatso.