The Directorate of Economics and Statistics is all set to implement Support for Statistical Strengthening, a World Bank-assisted Central scheme that would make official data qualitative, accurate and measurable, according to an annual report of the department that came out on Friday.
The scheme was aimed at improving the statistical capacity and infrastructure of the department for collecting, compiling and disseminating relevant statistics for policy making, the annual report said.
The report, along with Statistical Handbook 2016-17, Puducherry at a Glance 2018 and Price Bulletin, was released by Minister for Public Works A. Namassivayam on the occasion of National Statistics Day on Friday.
The key component of the programme, included improving the coverage, quality, timeliness and credibility of 20 key statistical indicators.
The programme involved human resource development, developing statistical infrastructure, investing in physical infrastructure and improving statistical operations.
Vacancies to be filled
Releasing the reports, the Minister said the department was vital part of governance as statistics was key to policy formulation.
The schemes and programmes were shaped on the data gathered by the department. The statisticians should give accurate data so that schemes and programmes of the government gets benefited by the people, he said. He directed the Secretary to take steps to fill vacancies in the department.
Director of Economics and Statistics R. Ramakrishnan said of the sanctioned 141 posts in the department 90 of them were vacant.
Secretary to Government D. Manikandan, Joint Director of Economics and Statistics N. Sundharamurthi and Head of the Department of Statistics, Indira Gandhi College of Arts and Science J. Jasmine and Deputy Director of Economics and Statistics R. Chitra were present.
