IIPM Mumbai Campus
India : Data Maintenance
Sorry Dr. Rangarajan...
The latest data that the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology can provide of investment on R&D is of 2002-03. Investment in R&D is one of the most imperative areas for policymakers. Imagine the ministry forming policies based on the 2002-03 data that is undoubtedly outdated; and a lot has changed since then on the investment front. A big challenge before policymakers today is availability of timely and reliable data. But unfortunately, gathering and maintenance of relevant statistics has not become a national priority yet.
India has many agencies including CSO, NSSO, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation for collecting and presenting data. There is extensive incongruity in statistics provided by them. One example relates to the poverty level calculation measures used in India by different agencies. As per the Arjun Sengupta Committee report submitted in 2007, 77 per cent Indians were living in poverty. In contrast, a Planning Commission report said that around 27.5 per cent people live below the poverty line. Another report by an expert group led by Dr.Suresh Tendulkar said the poverty rate in India was 37.2 per cent during the same period. Three different agencies and three different contrasting figures!
Another example is the population census. Ministries use the 2001 census for policy making. With 1.38 per cent population growth rate, the 2001 figure is surely not the one policymakers should be using to create policies. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is another example. WPI continue to consider certain factors which are no more in people’s regular consumption baskets while it continues to ignore certain new consumption factors like transportation, electricity, rent, medical expenses etc. that have become common today. That is why, while the official rate of general inflation was going down during the last few months; with roaring price of sugar, pulses, vegetables and fruits, food inflation was going sky high. The case is similar in IIP or GDP; it often gives misleading statistics.
Moreover, there is a huge time lag between collection of data and their propagation (which is a minimum of two years). There is also very little harmony between state and central agencies in gathering and disseminating data. The country has also not been successful in implementing the basic recommendations by the National Statistical Commission headed by of Dr. C. Rangarajan. Lessons can be learnt from US and China. Different departments in the US give special importance to data gathering and compilation for sensible conclusions. China is doing a record breaking comprehensive census covering 90 per cent of the population and 18 different areas including age, sex, education, employment etc. On a positive note, the World Bank has approved the financing of 80 per cent of the Rs.650.43 crore Statistical Strengthening Project and the ongoing Census 2011; UID system can be very effective too. Hope lives...
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India : Data Maintenance
Sorry Dr. Rangarajan...
The latest data that the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology can provide of investment on R&D is of 2002-03. Investment in R&D is one of the most imperative areas for policymakers. Imagine the ministry forming policies based on the 2002-03 data that is undoubtedly outdated; and a lot has changed since then on the investment front. A big challenge before policymakers today is availability of timely and reliable data. But unfortunately, gathering and maintenance of relevant statistics has not become a national priority yet.
India has many agencies including CSO, NSSO, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation for collecting and presenting data. There is extensive incongruity in statistics provided by them. One example relates to the poverty level calculation measures used in India by different agencies. As per the Arjun Sengupta Committee report submitted in 2007, 77 per cent Indians were living in poverty. In contrast, a Planning Commission report said that around 27.5 per cent people live below the poverty line. Another report by an expert group led by Dr.Suresh Tendulkar said the poverty rate in India was 37.2 per cent during the same period. Three different agencies and three different contrasting figures!
Another example is the population census. Ministries use the 2001 census for policy making. With 1.38 per cent population growth rate, the 2001 figure is surely not the one policymakers should be using to create policies. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is another example. WPI continue to consider certain factors which are no more in people’s regular consumption baskets while it continues to ignore certain new consumption factors like transportation, electricity, rent, medical expenses etc. that have become common today. That is why, while the official rate of general inflation was going down during the last few months; with roaring price of sugar, pulses, vegetables and fruits, food inflation was going sky high. The case is similar in IIP or GDP; it often gives misleading statistics.
Moreover, there is a huge time lag between collection of data and their propagation (which is a minimum of two years). There is also very little harmony between state and central agencies in gathering and disseminating data. The country has also not been successful in implementing the basic recommendations by the National Statistical Commission headed by of Dr. C. Rangarajan. Lessons can be learnt from US and China. Different departments in the US give special importance to data gathering and compilation for sensible conclusions. China is doing a record breaking comprehensive census covering 90 per cent of the population and 18 different areas including age, sex, education, employment etc. On a positive note, the World Bank has approved the financing of 80 per cent of the Rs.650.43 crore Statistical Strengthening Project and the ongoing Census 2011; UID system can be very effective too. Hope lives...
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri Dean Business School IIPM
IIPM Excom Prof Rajita Chaudhuri
Kapil Sibal's voters want Jan Lokpal, not Government-proposed Lokpal Bill
IIPM Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri on For Salman Khurshid, it is a big challenge ahead; and I personally look forward to a revolutionary couple of years ahead!
IIPM Adds Another Feather to Its Cap: This Time Gets the Best Business School of Asia Award
Item Numbers Are The New Mantras of Bollywood
Noida CEO rules out hike in land compensation
IIPM, GURGAON
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