Question : ANNUAL SURVEY OF SERVICES SECTOR

(a) whether the Government is set to launch the annual survey of services sector all over the country and if so, the details thereof and the objectives behind the survey;

(b) whether the Central Statistics Office has already conducted a pilot study to capture such data of service industries in different States;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the outcome of the study;

(d) the time by which the survey is likely to be commenced and completed; and

(e) the other steps taken/ being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION, MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS [GENERAL (Dr.) V. K. SINGH (Retd.)]

(a) Launching of the Annual Survey of Services Sector (ASSS) as a full-fledged country wide survey is primarily dependent on availability of resources and list of establishments from the Sixth Economic Census (EC). The directory of establishments of the 6th EC will be used as a frame for selection of sample establishments for the ASSS. The main objective of the survey is estimation of Gross Value Addition (GVA) by the various categories of activities under the services sector, and measuring other macro-economic indicators.

(b) Yes, Madam.

(c) A pilot Survey on ASSS was conducted in six States namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and in four metro cities namely Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi between December 2012 and July 2013 to explore the feasibility of collecting data on important characteristics of the services sector. The outcomes of the study include a successful field testing of the survey instruments; acquiring knowledge of the methodological challenges to overcome; and nature and quality of information available.

(d) & (e) The ASSS has been included in the XII Five Year Plan of the Ministry. No decision has been taken regarding the date of commencement.