After facing flak for delayed reports, panel likely to address data quality concerns
panel for a comprehensive review of the country's statistical systems, which have been criticised for poor survey methodology and delayed report releases.
The decision to set up an expert committee to look into all the issues related to data was taken at a review meeting held by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in February, people familiar with the deliberations told ET.
«The committee is likely to find solutions for addressing recurring concerns over data quality,» one of the persons said. «PMO also favoured a tech upgrade of the entire system,» the person said.
The development comes as India starts its four-year term as a United Nations Statistical Commission member this year, which will decide on a new system of national accounts in 2025 to determine a new gross domestic product (GDP) methodology and a revised system for the calculation of environmental accounts.
India's statistics have come under criticism from multiple quarters over quality issues and lag in releases. A paper published by the prime minister's economic advisory committee last year had criticised the National Sample Surveys, which are used for estimating poverty and unemployment, for having data quality issues. «Given the importance of data in framing policies, adequate attention must be paid to data quality. Otherwise, there is a possibility of misguided policies that are based on biased estimates, which might not reflect society's true changes or progress,» the paper said.
International think tank Carnegie Endowment for International
