Dissolution of Standing Committee on Statistics Amid Controversy Over Census Delay

Dissolution of Standing Committee on Statistics Amid Controversy Over Census Delay

Sub :Polity

Sec: National Body

Why this is in News

The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has dissolved the Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS), raising concerns due to the panel’s questioning of delays in conducting India’s decennial Census. The panel was disbanded without clear communication to its members, sparking debate over the government’s approach to handling key statistical tasks.

Key Points

Formation and Purpose of the Standing Committee on Statistics

Formed in July 2023, the SCoS was established to advise the government on survey methodology, including the sampling frame, survey design, and finalization of tabulation plans.

The panel consisted of 14 members, headed by economist and former Chief Statistician Pronab Sen.

The committee’s mandate was to aid the Ministry in improving the methodologies for data collection and tabulation across national surveys.

Census Delay and Dissolution of the Panel

India’s 2021 decennial Census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has yet to be officially scheduled.

During its meetings, the SCoS had raised questions about the delay in conducting the Census.

Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys:

The committee is chaired by Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, the Chairman of the National Statistical Commission (NSC). The purpose of this committee is to streamline and standardize the survey process, ensuring accuracy and consistency across surveys. It replaces some of the roles previously held by the Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS), with several SCoS members included in the new committee to avoid duplication of work.

About CENSUS: The census provides information on size, distribution and socio-economic, demographic and other characteristics of the country’s population.

During the regime of the Mughal king Akbar, the administrative report ‘Ain-e-Akbari’ included comprehensive data pertaining to population, industry, wealth and many other characteristics.

A systematic and modern population census, in its present form was conducted non synchronously between 1865 and 1872 in different parts of the country.

However, the first synchronous census in India was held in 1881. Since then, censuses have been undertaken uninterruptedly once every ten years.

The decennial Census is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs.

National Statistical Commission (NSC)

The National Statistical Commission (NSC) was established by the Government of India on 12th July 2006 to set policies, standards, and priorities in statistical matters. Its formation followed recommendations from the Rangarajan Commission (2001), aimed at improving India’s statistical system.

The NSC comprises a part-time Chairperson, four part-time members, and an ex-officio member. The Chief Statistician of India, who also serves as Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, acts as the Commission’s Secretary.