ROLE OF INDIAN NATIONAL STATISTICAL OFFICE IN ANALYSIS, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF MICRODATA M.M. Hasija, Director NSSO

DISSEMINATION Dissemination of statistical information on various aspects to Government, Semi- Government, private data users and international agencies – One of the primary function of NSO. NSO is in a better position to understand the definitions, concepts, methodology of data collection. To fulfill NSOs role of “informing” the Government and community.

DISSEMINATION – Contd.. Mode of dissemination in India is mainly through publications, regular and adhoc, besides internet. The line ministries also analyse and disseminate official statistics through the above modes as also through print media.

ANALYSIS Official statistics and results of surveys / censuses published by the NSO are usually accompanied by an analysis of data on key parameters at National and State level. Results of large scale multipurpose sample surveys conducted by NSO are released through a number of reports. Analysis of survey reports are published in journal called ‘Sarvekshana’.

AWARDS & FELLOWSHIP SCHEME To encourage independent and high quality research work in the field of applied statistics, particularly on issues and problems relating to official statistical system in the country, a Scheme of Awards and Fellowships for outstanding and meritorious research work in the field of Applied Statistics was started in 2000.

AWARDS & FELLOWSHIP SCHEME – Contd.. Financial assistance is provided to research institutions / organizations / non- government organizations for surveys, studies in official statistics. Grants are given to statisticians to enable them to present research papers in international conference / seminars / workshops.

OFFICIAL STATISTICS SEMINAR SERIES To explore the capabilities of professional statisticians involved with official statistics, including their academic interests and analytical contribution to Indian Statistical System. Periodic seminars on ‘official statistics’ are being held since 2003.

OFFICIAL STATISTICS SEMINAR SERIES – Contd.. Papers are presented by the Statistical Officers on various themes of official statistics. These are published in “Official Statistics Seminar Series”.

NATIONAL POLICY ON DISSEMINATION Adopted in Policy provides for making available validated data to national users in the form of hard copies and magnetic media on payment basis for analysis purposes. User has to ensure that (i)Data is used for statistical research.

NATIONAL POLICY ON DISSEMINATION – Contd. (ii)Maintain confidentiality of the individuals/ unit’s identification, directly or indirectly. (iii)Acknowledge the data source in research output, and (iv)make available the research output and short summary of the conclusions, free of cost, to the data provider.

DATA WAREHOUSE – Contd.. Dissemination policy envisaged setting up of a ‘data warehouse’ to enable data users and general public to have easy access to the published as well as unpublished validated data from one source. The data warehouse will (i)Contain data from various source agencies, (ii)Integrate data into the logical areas,

DATA WAREHOUSE – Contd.. (iii)share the data in a manner that is accessible and understandable to non-technical decision makers, and (iv)deliver information to decision makers through report writing and query tools. To set up the national data warehouse of official statistics, the computer centre of NSO has procured COGNOS data warehouse tool.

DATA WAREHOUSE – Contd.. COGNOS data warehouse tool comprises of applications and technologies for collecting, managing, processing and presenting multidimensional data for analysis has been procured. The design and development for the pilot projects are in progress.

ISSUES The state statistical system possesses the disaggregate statistics but do not possess the capability to process and analyse data on demand, and to synthesise the data from different sources.