Statistical system to be strengthened

Normal

0

MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }

/* Style Definitions */

table.MsoNormalTable

{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";

mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;

mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;

mso-style-noshow:yes;

mso-style-parent:"";

mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;

mso-para-margin:0in;

mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;

mso-pagination:widow-orphan;

font-size:10.0pt;

font-family:"Times New Roman";}

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to strengthen its statistical system under the centrally-sponsored State Strategic Statistical Plan (SSSP) with the specific objective of developing survey and data processing capabilities. Approving the Orissa State Strategic Statistical Plan (OSSSP), developed by city-based DJ Research Consultancy, a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary BK Patnaik on Saturday decided to have separate statistical offices at district and block levels. The block-level offices will be located near the Panchayat Samiti offices. The programme will be implemented in five years at an estimated cost of ` 65.53 crore with a maximum assistance coming from the Centre. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation will provide ` 58 crore. The objective of the programme is to strengthen the statistical setup below the district level which is too weak to generate organised data from the lower administrative levels. Admitting that the State statistical system is beset with a multitude of problems, a senior Government officer said this limited the Government role in developmental planning. There is lack of connectivity and linkage between one level to the another and the statistical manpower suffers from lack of trainming and requisite skill. The new initiative would develop and coordinate statistical system for data collection, analysis and dissemination, Chief Secretary BK Patnaik said adding, the data so collected would help improve methodology to meet the dynamic State needs. Since the project was targeted to be completed in five years, head of 20 related departments have been asked to prepare the IT-enabled methodology by 2014-15, two years ahead. The departmental heads have been asked to develop a methodology by constituting a sub-plan. Every block statistical office will be computerised under the plan and there will be provision for online networking with the State Directorate of Economics and Statistics. Besides, there will be sensitisation, training and exposure visits of statistics personnel to build their capacity. With the establishment of block statistical offices, more reliable data will flow from the grassroots level of administration which will help the Government hasten monitoring of different schemes and programmes as well as the process of data validation and analysis.