Ministry dissolves Standing Committee on Statistics citing overlap with Sample Survey panel

Ministry dissolves committee citing overlap

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has dissolved the Standing Committee on Statistics to avoid overlap with another panel.

In a letter to the members, the ministry noted that the 14-member committee is being dissolved as the terms of reference of the SCoS formed last year overlapped with the steering committee for National Sample Surveys as per National Statistical Commission recommendations.

The SCoS was formed in July 2023 following concerns raised by academicians and researchers about the quality of India’s statistics. A paper by Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council member Shamika Ravi criticised the ministry on survey methodology.

The committee, headed by Pronab Sen, a former chief statistician of India, was to advise the government on the survey methodology and approach of national sample surveys, improve quality of statistics, and suggest new surveys.

The steering committee was formed earlier this year, with its first meeting held in April, under the chairmanship of the National Statistical Commission Chairman Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar.

The decision to form the panel was taken after the interaction with the Prime Minister’s Office had taken stock of the quality of statistics and data in the country.

After the dissolution, the steering committee remains the sole authority on surveys and data.

Moneycontrol had earlier reported that the ministry would launch new surveys in 2025. The ministry will start the National Household Travel Survey in July 2025, based on the request made by Ministry of Railways. Besides travel, the stats ministry is also exploring surveys for health and tourism.

All these surveys are expected to be part of the 80th round of the National Sample Survey. In its 79th round, the statistics ministry conducted a survey on the usage of AYUSH.

The new survey approvals are likely to go through the steering committee. The results of surveys will also likely be presented to the steering committee before release.