The next round of the National Sample Survey (NSS-75), the results of which will be used for national-level policy-making in diverse areas, will begin in Kerala on July 1.
The survey, conducted by the National Sample Survey Office of the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, will last one year. This round, the 75th, will focus on household consumer expenditure and household health and education expenditure.
The results will show what proportion of the monthly income each household spends on consumer goods as well as on social expenditure, like education and health care. This time, as part of the health survey, data will be collected on the household expenditure on treating communicable diseases. This will give an insight into the number of people affected by communicable diseases such as dengue which are currently creating havoc in Kerala.
NSS officials told The Hindu that 560 sample lots, consisting eight household each, will be used for the survey. Of these, 300 are rural. Since there are three surveys, there could be more than 10,000 households involved. Apart from the 560 Central sample lots of the NSSO, there will be an equal number of samples to be supervised by the State Government’s Economic and Statistical Department.
Along with the main survey, a Swachh Bharat survey will also be conducted to collect data on public sanitation. These data will be used in the national Swachhta status report.
The data from the consumer expenditure survey will be used for a range of purposes, including in the calculation of consumer price index. The Centre and the States rely on these data for policy-making such as poverty alleviation programmes, welfare measures and subsidies.
