India must move fast to make data readily and easily available to end-users: National Statistical Commission chairman RL Karandikar

National Statistical Commission (NSC) chairman RL Karandikar

The government should move fast to make data readily and easily available for users, instead of letting private players take the lead, National Statistical Commission (NSC) chairman RL Karandikar said on June 19.

“Why can't we make it available with end users as quickly as possible, why do we have to rely on private companies to present MoSPI data,” Karandikar said at the data user conference of the ministry of statistics and programme implementation.

The NSC chairman highlighted the need for reducing the time gap for presentation of results.

“We can try even more reduction. The further we reduce the better it would be,” he noted.

The results of the first Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23 were released a year after the completion of the survey.

The fact sheet was released in February 2024.

The ministry has already taken steps to reduce the time gap between surveys. It has been following computer-assisted surveys instead of paper-assisted surveys to present results in a faster manner.

The government has fast-tracked release of results; it released results of the AYUSH survey earlier this month, along with data from the annual survey of unincorporated sector enterprises. The survey on traditional modes of medicine or Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy was conducted by the ministry along with the 79th round of National Sample Survey from 2022-23 using computer assisted personal interview process. This was the first such survey conducted by the ministry.

The CAPI methodology allows the ministry to record responses immediately on its server and also provides data validation in real-time.

Karandikar had last year formed committees to suggest reforms on data collection, timeliness and technology upgrade of the ministry of statistics and programme implementation.

Karandikar also noted that such conferences go a long way in improving acceptance about MoSPI's work in general.