Gist of Editorials: Why the Integrity of Data Matter | GS – III


Relevance :  GS Paper  III


Theme of the Article

The merger of the NSSO into the CSO is a cause for concern.

Why has this issue cropped up?

The government has decided to merge the NSSO into and under the CSO.

Reason for the Merger

Apprehensions have risen regarding the veracity of NSSO data.

The present System

  • Every year government departments send subjects to be investigated by NSSO.
  • The requests are sent to the National Statistical Commission (NSC).
  • The proposals are discussed at length and periodic surveys on important issues are also considered.
  • The results are discussed in detail by the NSC and are published after its approval.

Importance of Data

They have been used extensively for monitoring of trends and critical assessment of several important aspects of the economy and society.

Is apprehension about NSSO justified?

  • The NSSO surveys command wide respect among academics, State governments and non-governmental organisations.
  • The NSC commands confidence and respect both within the country and abroad.
  • Any apprehension will hugely dent the credibility of the Indian statistical system.

The problems with NSSO

  • Inadequate budgetary allocations;
  • Acute shortage of trained field staff;
  • Scale of surveys is un-manageably large mainly.

Solutions

There is the need to continue research on improving sampling design, field survey methods and validation of data. Correcting these deficiencies is entirely in the domain of government.

Conclusion

Increasing the role of CSO officials in running the NSSO will not solve these problems, but they can help by providing funds for specialised research on survey design and methodology.


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