Dr. Abhishek Jain stresses on strengthening statistical systems for timely achievement of targets
Secretary, Public Works Department Abhishek Jain said that it was essential to develop robust statistical systems in order to accelerate development initiatives and ensure the timely achievement of targets. He was addressing a one-day workshop on "Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS)" at Kyarighat in Solan district, today. The event was jointly organised by the Department of Economics and Statistics, Himachal Pradesh and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India.
Dr. Jain said that the primary objective of this workshop was to enhance the capacity of the statistical systems state to ensure the availability of reliable and accurate statistical data. Under the SSS scheme the state receives both technical and financial assistance for statistical activities such as data collection, processing and analysis.
He said that the scheme would facilitate efficient data collection and the use of modern technologies for data processing. This, in turn would provide the necessary data to monitor development projects effectively. Timely monitoring would ensure the timely completion of the projects and helps in cost saving. It would boost the economy of the region. He further said that the workshop would play a key role in improving data quality and utility besides benefiting the management and operation of data. He stressed the importance of data-driven governance and said that the evidence-based planning was fundamental to the success of any policy or scheme.
Dr. Jain said the growing demand for statistics in the modern era, noting that statistical data collection enables more targeted and effective policy implementation. He underscored that data should be accurate, updated and standardized and that the Department of Statistics should serve as a central repository for data across all government departments. He also mentioned the importance of making such data accessible in various formats to keep the public well-informed about ongoing schemes and programmes.
Economic Advisor Dr. Vinod Rana said that a sound statistical system was crucial to achieving sustainable development goals and ensuring transparent and accountable governance. He urged all data-generating departments to produce verifiable data aligned with GDP estimations and utility requirements.
Prof. N.S. Bisht provided a comprehensive overview of challenges, reliability and quality associated with primary data collection.
The departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Forests, and Labour Bureau and other departments gave insightful presentations on various aspects of the subject.
Group one, comprising participants from Chamba, Solan and Kullu districts, shared strategies and field experiences related to primary data collection. Group two from Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Una districts discussed techniques and challenges related to data compilation and tabulation. Group three representing Shimla, Sirmaur and Mandi districts presented on data dissemination and related topics.
Presentations were also made on topics such as data analysis in the Labour Bureau, Census, State Income Section and the Himachal Pradesh District Good Governance Index.
Deputy Director of the Census Department, Government of India Ashish Chauhan, Deputy Director of Labour Bureau, Chandigarh Chitra Ahlawat, Deputy Director of the National Statistical Organisation, Shimla Ajay Kumar, Additional Director of the State Rural Development Department Surender Mohan, Joint Director of the Department of Economics and Statistics Anupam Kumar Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer Solan H.K. Gupta and other senior officials and research officers from different departments across the state were present in the workshop.