Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) addressed concerns regarding the dissolution of the Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS). The SCoS was dissolved on July 12, 2024, due to overlapping responsibilities with the Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys (NSS), which was constituted on June 14, 2024. MoSPI aims to ensure data robustness, transparency, and stakeholder confidence through the Steering Committee and various data dissemination platforms.
Key Points / Main Content:
Dissolution of Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS):
* The SCoS was dissolved on July 12, 2024, due to overlapping roles with the Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys (NSS).
* The decision was made following the recommendation of the National Statistical Commission (NSC).
Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys (NSS):
* The Steering Committee was constituted on June 14, 2024, to review the framework for National Sample Surveys and address related issues.
* The Committee's Terms of Reference (ToR) aim to ensure the robustness and credibility of statistical data.
* The Steering Committee will make recommendations to the NSC.
* The tenure of the Steering Committee will be for a period of two years.
* The Steering Committee has the provision to constitute Working Groups, if required.
Composition of the Steering Committee:
* The Committee includes a Chairman (Chairman, NSC), members from various institutions (ISI, IIM, S. P. Pune University, NCAER, IEG, IGIDR), representatives from DEA, Reserve Bank of India, NITI Aayog, and Directors General from MoSPI.
* Members at Sr. No. 2 to 7 are Non Official Members.
Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Steering Committee:
* Review the framework, methodology, questionnaire, sampling design, and survey instruments for National Sample Surveys.
* Examine issues raised by MoSPI or external entities related to the methodology of National Sample Surveys.
* Advise on survey methodology, including sampling frame and design, and finalize tabulation plans.
* Finalize and approve survey results reports for release.
* Provide guidance for pilot surveys/pretesting.
* Provide guidance for study and exploring the availability of administrative statistics relating to surveys/statistics.
* Provide guidance for study/identify data gaps/additional data requirements and suggest appropriate strategy for improvement.
* Provide technical guidance to central and state level agencies for conducting surveys.
Transparency and Data Dissemination:
* MoSPI is the nodal agency for statistical system development.
* Survey reports and unit-level data are released on the MoSPI website to enhance transparency.
* The Micro data portal, GoIStats mobile app, and eSankhyiki portal have been launched to facilitate easy dissemination of official statistics.
* Regular dialogues are conducted with data users/stakeholders to incorporate feedback.
Impact Analysis:
MoSPI:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the decisions and ensuring the robustness of statistical data.
* Action Required: Oversee the functioning of the Steering Committee, ensure data dissemination through various platforms, and maintain dialogue with stakeholders.
National Statistical Commission (NSC):
* Impact: Receives recommendations from the Steering Committee and provides overall guidance.
* Action Required: Review and act upon the recommendations of the Steering Committee.
Steering Committee Members:
* Impact: Responsible for reviewing and advising on survey methodology and data quality.
* Action Required: Participate in committee meetings, provide expert advice, and contribute to the finalization of survey results.
Data Users/Stakeholders:
* Impact: Benefit from enhanced transparency and access to statistical data.
* Action Required: Utilize available data resources, provide feedback to MoSPI, and participate in dialogues.
Central and State Level Agencies:
* Impact: Receive technical guidance from the Steering Committee for conducting surveys.
* Action Required: Implement the guidance provided by the Steering Committee and coordinate with MoSPI.
Key Entities Referenced
Standing Committee on Statistics SCoS: A committee that was dissolved, impacting the statistical governance framework.
Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys: A committee constituted to review the framework of National Sample Surveys and address related issues; its responsibilities overlapped with the SCoS.
National Sample Surveys: Surveys conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), for which the Steering Committee provides oversight.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation MoSPI: The nodal agency for planned development of the statistical system, responsible for conducting National Sample Surveys.
National Statistical Commission NSC: An organization that recommended the constitution of the Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys.
Prof. Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar: Chairman of the National Statistical Commission (NSC) and Chairman of the Steering Committee.
NITI Aayog: A government think tank; the CEO of NITI Aayog or their representative is a member of the Steering Committee.
Reserve Bank of India RBI: A representative from the Reserve Bank of India is a member of the Steering Committee.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4445
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
DISSOLUTION OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON STATISTICS
4445. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:
Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed the impact of dissolving
the Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS) on the overall
statistical governance framework;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the manner in which its key
functions will be handled by the Steering Committee for National
Sample Surveys;
(c) whether the dissolution of the SCoS affects the coordination,
oversight or methodological rigour of national statistical
programmes;
(d) if so, the details thereof including the measures being taken to
ensure the robustness and credibility of statistical data
following this structural change; and
(e) whether any additional mechanisms are being introduced to
maintain transparency and stakeholder confidence in national
statistics and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF
STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF
STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING
AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE [RAO
INDERJIT SINGH]
(a) to (d): For the purpose of reviewing the extant framework and to
address the issues raised from time to time on the subject, results,
methodology, questionnaire, etc of all National Sample Surveys
conducted by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
(MoSPI), the Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys (NSS)has been constituted vide order dated 14.06.2024 as per the
recommendation of National Statistical Commission (NSC). The Terms
of Reference (ToR) of the Committee have been framed with an
objective of ensuring the robustness and credibility of statistical data.
The details of Composition and ToRs are given in the Annexure.
Further, as the roles and responsibilities of the Steering Committee
overlapped with those of the SCoS constituted vide order dated
13.07.2023 as outlined in the respective Terms of Reference (ToRs), it
was decided to dissolve the SCoS vide order dated 12.07.2024.
(e): MoSPI is the nodal agency for planned development of the
statistical system in the country. In order to enhance the transparency
of survey data, the reports of the survey results are released on the
website of MoSPI alongwith the unit level data. The revamped Micro-
data portal, the GoIStats mobile app and e-Sankhyiki portal have been
launched by MoSPI which facilitate easy dissemination of official
statistics showcasing important socio-economic indicators including
GDP, inflation, employment data, etc across the country with an aim
to provide timely and valuable data inputs. Regular dialogues with
data users/stakeholders are also conducted in order to incorporate
their feedback and enhance their understanding about the data being
published by MoSPI.
*****Annexure
The details including composition and terms of reference are as
under:
A. Composition of the Steering Committee:
1. Prof. Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, Chairman (NSC) Chairman
2. Prof. Bimal Kumar Roy, former Professor, ISI Member
Kolkata
3. Dr. Tathagata Bandyopadhyay, former Professor, IIM Member
Ahmedabad
4. Dr. T. V. Ramanathan, D/o Statistics, S. P. Pune Member
University
5. Prof. Sonal De Desai, Professor, NCAER, New Delhi Member
6. Dr. Biswanath Goldar, former Professor, Institute of Member
Economic Growth (IEG), New Delhi
7. Dr. Mausumi Bose, former Professor, ISI Kolkata Member
8. Prof. S. Chandrasekhar, Professor, Indira Gandhi
Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), Mumbai Member
9. Chief Economic Adviser, DEA or its representative Member
[Ms. Anuradha Guru, Economic Adviser]
10. Representative from Reserve Bank of India Member
[Shri Ravi Shankar, Adviser, RBI]
11. CEO, NITI Aayog or its representative Member
[Ms. Anna Roy, Principal Economic Adviser, NITI
Aayog]
12. Director General (NSS), MoSPI, New Delhi Member
13. Director General (Central Statistics), MoSPI, New Member
Delhi
14. ADG, C&QCD (erstwhile SCD), NSS, MoSPI, New Member
Delhi
15. ADG, HSD (erstwhile SDRD), NSS, MoSPI, Kolkata Member
16. Director, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Member
Govt.. of Uttar Pradesh
17. Director, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Member
Govt. of KarnatakaDDG, C&QCD, NSS, MoSPI Non-
Member
Secretary
(Note 1. The Member(s) at Sr. No. 2 to 7 above may be treated as Non-
Official Member (s) as on date.
Note 2. It is further clarified that, where the membership is not
designation-based in para Α above, such Members of the Steering
Committee will be deemed nominated by their names. Members at
serial numbers 12 to 17 would be deemed nominated as per their
designation. Moreover, Members at serial numbers 9, 10 & 11 would
be deemed nominated as per their designation or represented from
their respective offices.)
B. The tenure of the Steering Committee will be for a period of two
years. The Steering Committee shall make recommendations to NSC
on the matters specified in following Terms of Reference (ToR):
a. To review the extant framework and to address the issues raised
from time to time on the subject results/ methodology questionnaire,
sampling frame, sampling design, concepts and definitions, survey
instruments etc. related to all National Sample Surveys as brought
before the Steering Committee.
b. To examine the issues or any other matters raised from time to
time on the subject methodology, etc. related to all National Sample
Surveys by MoSPI or external entities as brought before the Steering
Committee.
c. To review and advise on survey methodology including sampling
frame, sampling design, survey instruments, etc. and to finalize
tabulation plan of surveys.
d. Finalization and approval of survey results/ reports for release.
e. To provide guidance to conduct pilot surveys/pre-testing, if
necessary, before finalizing schedules/ questionnaire for data
collection from time to time.
f. To provide guidance for study and exploring the availability of
administrative statistics relating to surveys/statistics.
g. To provide guidance for study/identify data gaps/additional data
requirements, if any, in respect of surveys/statistics and suggest
appropriate strategy for improvement.h. To provide technical guidance to the Central and State
(wherever State participation is there) level agencies for the conduct
of the surveys.
i. Deliberate on any other matter relating to or incidental to the
surveys/survey results referred to Steering Committee from time to
time.
C. The Steering Committee will have the provision to constitute
Working Group(s) for aforesaid purposes, if required. The Working
Group(s) so formed will directly report to the Steering Committee.
D. The Coordination and Quality Control Division (erstwhile Survey
Coordination Division) of NSS, MoSPI shall issue separate order(s) for
constitution of such Working Group(s) after taking due approval of the
Competent Authority and provide all requisite secretarial assistance
to such Working Group(s) for the administrative and financial
purposes.
*****