New Delhi, Jun 29 (UNI) Union Statistics and Programme Implementation Minister Rao Inderjit Singh on Saturday underlined the importance and need for holistic data for informed policy discourse and decision saying the government is fully committed to continuously improving the data quality of official statistics in a transparent manner.
Inaugurating the Statistics Day, 2019, Mr Singh further underscored that in order to monitor the progress of SDGs, the creation of a robust database is essential.
Complimenting the contribution of statisticians and researchers in improving the National Statistical System, he announced that MoSPI would be instituting the Prof PC Mahalanobis National Award in official statistics to recognise and honour the outstanding contribution and meritorious work of official statisticians working in the Central government, state governments and their institutions.
Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council chairman and Indian Statistical Institute president Bibek Debroy, Chief Statistician of India-cum-Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation Pravin Srivastava along with senior officers were also present on the occasion.
The winner of Prof CR Rao Award 2019, Dr Subhra Sankar Dhar, Associate Professor, IIT-Kanpur was felicitated during the programme for his notable contribution in the field of statistics.
The winners of ‘On the Spot Essay Writing Competition’ for Post Graduate Students on the subject relevant to statistics organised at all India level were also felicitated. During the event, a short documentary film on SDGs was also exhibited reflecting country’s commitment towards integrating social, economic and environmental dimensions for holistic development.
The revamped portal of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) and SDG Dashboard was launched on the occasion in addition to release of baseline report on SDGs and study report on Revamping Project Management Practices conducted by Project Management Institute (PMI).
The Government has been celebrating the Statistics Day, to popularise the use of statistics in everyday life and sensitise the public as to how statistics helps in shaping and framing policies.
It is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Prof PC Mahalanobis, on June 29, in recognition of his invaluable contribution in establishing the National Statistical System. This year’s theme of Statistics Day is Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) keeping in view India’s commitment towards achieving these goals.
UNI SW SNU 1515