POLICY WATCH : NATIONAL STATISTICAL BILL 2019

• INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of statistics and prog implementation has sought comments and suggestions on draft National Statistical bill.

• TO MAKE DATA COLLECTION MORE TRANSPARENT AND RELIABLE

- To establish National Statistical Commission as a Nodal and autonomous body for core statistical activities in the country to evolve, monitor and enforce priority and standards for data collection in country

- It will act as credible source of data so that various ministries can avail benefit.

• INSIGHTS

A. It is based on recommendations of C. Rangrajan Committee (2000)

B. After 1998, IMF took steps to promote fiscal transparency and integrity of national

accounts and fiscal statistics to which India subscribed.

C. IMF set up a special data dissemination standards as well

D. Recommendations of the committee and NSC seeks to follow these guidelines.

E. It will have authority to monitor and set procedure of collection and defining

statistics in India.

F. Data is collected not only through surveys but also through administrative records.

Being an advisory body NSC will also recommend to govt. regarding timely release of such data.

G. NSC seeks to set legal backing of the same official data collected now. It will enforce

public and global trust in data. Hence depoliticize the data issue.

H. It will increase data driven governance through core statistics which are necessary

for socio economic prg of Govt.

I. Not only govt agencies but some pvt entities also produce data, commission may consider to assess them and put it more transperently to the public. But it remains one of the less explored area.