(a) the terms of reference of National Statistics Commission;
(b) whether the Commission has become operative so far;
(c) if so, the statistical data made available for policy formulation and effective planning and implementation;
(d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the time by which it is likely to become operative?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING, MINISTER OF STATE
IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION,
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND
PUBLIC GRIEVANCES IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES
& PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF DISINVESTMENT (SHRI ARUN SHOURIE)
(a) The terms of reference of the National Statistical
Commission are :
(i) To examine critically the deficiencies of the
present statistical system in terms of
timeliness, reliability and adequacy;
(ii) To recommend measures to correct the
deficiencies and revamp the statistical system
to generate timely and reliable statistics for
the purpose of policy and planning in
Government at different levels of
administrative structure;
(iii) To recommend permanent and effective
coordinating mechanism for ensuring integrated
development of the decentralised statistical
system in the country;
(iv) To review the existing legislation for the
collection of statistical information and to
recommend amendments, where necessary, to
achieve the objective of collection and
dissemination of timely, reliable and adequate
statistics;
(v) To review the existing organisation of the
Ministry of Statistics & Programme
Implementation (Statistics Wing) and other
statistical units of the Government and to make
recommendations on their staffing and training
requirements to enable them to cope with the
increase and development of statistical
services;
(vi) To examine the need for instituting statistical
audit of the range of services provided by the
Government and local bodies and make suitable
recommendations thereof; and
(vii) To recommend any other measures for improving
the statistical system in the country.
(b) The Commission has been functioning since January, 2000.
(c) to (e) The National Statistical Commission has been set up on
19th January 2000 to critically examine the
deficiencies of the present statistical system with a
view to recommending measures for its systematic
revamping. The Commission is not entrusted with the
task of generating any statistics by itself.