Lok Sabha Question No. 3217 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: India Statistical Strengthening Project
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Tejpratap Singh,Yadav, ANJU BALA, B. SREERAMULU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3217

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 14 th  MARCH, 2018

## INDIA STATISTICAL STRENGTHENING PROJECT

3217.  SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV:

SHRIMATI ANJU BALA:

SHRI B. SRIRAMULU:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether statistical system is weak for district level data and data are not reliable enough to form a good basis for policy;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  implementing  India  Statistical Strengthening Project (ISSP) for improving statistical system;
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  funds  allocated  to  participating States  and  the  progress  made  under  the  project  during  the  last three years;
- (d)  the  details  of  posts  lying  vacant  in  offices  working  under  the
- Ministry and steps taken to fill them up; and
- (e)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  development  of  statistical system in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION  AND  MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS [SHRI VIJAY GOEL]

- (a) The statistical system at district level is mainly within the ambit of State Governments. Due to differences in the levels of development of  the  system at  district  level,  strengths  and  weakness are assessed

from time to time by States for making data available for better policy formulation.

- (b) Yes, Madam.
- (c) The  India  Statistical  Strengthening  Project,  presently  known  as Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) Scheme, is being implemented in States who have signed Memorandum of Understanding to  improve  their  statistical  systems  in  respect  of  matters  covered under the Scheme. Fourteen States are presently participating in the Scheme. An amount of Rs.264.52 crore has been released to them so far, out of which 84.7% has been utilised till 28 th  February, 2018.  The funds  are  mainly  utilised  for  compilation  of  local  level  statistics, creation  of  integrated  State  databases,  conducting  type  studies  and surveys to address data gaps, compilation of core indicators such as Consumer Price  Index  and  State  level  Index  of  Industrial  Production, conducting workshops and training programmes for statistical personnel, and strengthening of physical and IT infrastructure.
- (d): The  statistical  posts  in  the  Ministry  are  manned  by  officers  of Indian  Statistical  Service  (ISS)  and  Subordinate  Statistical  Service (SSS).  At present, 958 of these posts are vacant. Action is taken from time to time to fill up the vacancies as per due process.
- (e): The steps taken from time to time by the Government to improve the statistical system  include revision of base  year of national accounts  and  short-term  economic  indicators,  conducting  surveys  to address data gaps, bringing into use administrative statistics, promoting  use  of  information  technology  in  statistical  activities  and strengthening statistical co-ordination.

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