In recognition of the notable contribution made by Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of economic planning and statistical development in the post independent era, the Govt. of India has decided to designate 29th June every year, coinciding with his birth anniversary, as Statistics Day in the category of special day to be celebrated at the national level. Notification to this effect was published in the Gazette of India on June 05, 2007.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MOS&PI) will be celebrating the Second Statistics Day on 29th June 2008. The celebrations will be held at India International Centre, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi. The function will be inaugurated by Shri Pranab Muhkerjee, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs and presided over by Shri G.K.Vasan, Hon’ble MOS (Independent Charge) Statistics and Programme Implementation. During the function, National Award in Statistics in the memory of Prof P.V. Sukhatme for the year 2007-08 will be given. Winners of the Essay Writing competition in statistics organized by MOS&PI in February 2008 will also be given awards on this occasion. Directorates of Economics and Statistics of different States will also be celebrating ‘Statistics Day’ on 29th June 2008.
First Statistics Day was celebrated the on 29th June 2007. The celebrations were aimed at creating public awareness among the people specially the younger generation for drawing inspiration from the works of Prof. Mahalanobis about the role of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation. The curtain raiser function was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Prime Minister also released a brochure ‘Statistics Day 2007’ on this occasion. Shri G.K. Vasan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) MOS&PI gave the National Award in Statistics for the year 2006-07 in the honour of Prof. C.R. Rao to Prof. Ayanendranath Basu of ISI Kolkata. Prof. S.C. Tendulkar, Chairman, National Statistical Commission and Prof. I.P. David from Philippines, the winner of the Mahalanobis award 2007, also addressed the audience and mentioned about the valuable contribution of Prof. Mahalanobis for the development of statistics. Directorate of Economics and Statistics of different States also celebrated ‘Statistics Day’ at the regional level in association with regional/sub regional offices of Field Operation Division (FOD)of National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO).
SEPTEMBER17,2007
NEW SCHEME “URBAN STATISTICS FOR HR AND ASSESSMENTS” LAUNCHED
The Chief Guest, Shri G. K. Vasan, Minister of State (IC) for Statistics and Programme Implementation highlighted the critical importance of inclusive growth, inclusive cities and the need to address urban poverty and employment issues in the country with a holistic approach in the 11th Plan. He also emphasised the need for authentic data and information systems to plan for and provide social and economic infrastructure services, including water supply, sanitation, roads, health, education etc. He called upon the Central and State Government officials to institute systems for the collection of data on urban housing activities in the country. Housing is one of the three basic necessities – food, clothing and shelter – and one of the key indicators of economic prosperity.
jan9,2009
Three new universities for children of NRI would be setup: G K Vasan
Shri G K Vasan, Minister of State (Independent charge), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation said that the Government of India has plans for setting up three new universities for the benefit of the children of NRIs and PIOs. While addressing at the Regional Session on Carribean at the 7th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 2009 today at Chennai, he informed that the first of these universities to be located at Bangalore is expected to be operational by the year 2010. These universities would have a reservation of 50 per cent seats for NRIs and PIOs. The Government has also increased the number of scholarships to 120 to facilitate unhindered access to higher education for children of NRIs and PIOs who are not economically well off in their adopted lands, the Minister added.
Following is the text of the Minister’s address on the occasion:
At the outset, I extend to you all a very warm welcome to India and especially to my home State, Tamil Nadu. I am sure, you would enjoy the hospitality of Chennai and carry happy memories of your stay here.
It is a privilege for me to participate in this Session of this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. It is a matter of honour that I am taking part in the Regional Session on Carribeans when we have the Vice President of Suriname as the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Session. I am happy to see this afternoon a large number of Indian diaspora professionals who have distinguished themselves in their adopted homelands. By your presence here, besides enhancing the prestige of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, you have also exhibited the importance you attach to your roots in your motherland.
The United Progressive Alliance Government, led by Dr. Manmohan Singh has taken many initiatives ever since assuming office in the year 2004. The formation of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is one of such initiatives to mitigate the problems being faced by Indians living abroad, to serve the cause of the Indian diaspora in general and to facilitate the Indian community in other countries to contribute for the welfare of their brothers and sisters in India in a better manner. The positioning of a Cabinet Minister at the helm of affairs of this Ministry represents the continuing commitment to address issues relating to overseas Indians across the world meaningfully.
The presence of Indian diaspora spans about 130 countries in eight different regions of the world at an approximate strength of 30 million. India today is proud of its diaspora. You have all risen to positions of eminence in the fields of your chosen activity. Representatives of Indian diaspora have become Heads of State, Nobel Laureates, captains of industry, astronauts and sports icons in their adopted homelands. Their contributions are well recognised in their native land, in the land of their domicile, and across the world. It is a matter of immense pleasure for me to welcome you all to our great country.
India today is a resilient economy unaffected by the global economic meltdown, thanks to the caution exercised in implementing economic reforms. Here, I would like to quote some statistics. The GDP growth in the second quarter of the current financial year has been recorded at 7.6 per cent over the corresponding period of last financial year.
The performance of the infrastructure sector has also been impressive. In almost all sectors we have done well. During April-October, 2008, there has been a significant positive growth. To give a few examples, during this period, the National Highways Authority of India has constructed, widened and strengthened 1,238 kilometres of highways, which is significantly higher at 67.7 per cent over corresponding period in the year 2007, where the achievement was 738 kilometres. The telecommunications sector witnessed a growth of 72 per cent in switching capacity; 29.5 per cent in telephone connections and 24 per cent in cell phone connections over the corresponding period in the previous year. Similar impressive growth has also been recorded in petroleum, ports and railways sectors. The Indian community should take advantage of this robust growth for promoting the image of the country in the international fora.
India has been a victim of terrorism ever since Independence. The acts of terror which were confined to the border States of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir in the initial few decades are now being perpetrated in other parts of the country. These attacks are aimed towards crippling a booming economy in our nation which has caused deep concern in the civilised world. We are confident that our country would face any challenge in its strident march towards progress and prosperity.
There are about five million overseas Indians all over the world. They have contributed a great deal to the economic and social empowerment of their families back home, to the development of their communities and to the economic enrichment of our country. In recent years, the remittance inflows have increased impressively, rising from US $ 13 billion in 2001 to over US $ 30 billion in 2007. During the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 2006, a universal electronic integrated remittance gateway was launched by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in association with the UTI Bank as an affordable and efficient facility for remittance by overseas Indians.
The setting up of the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre in New Delhi and Overseas Indian Development Fund have been some of the recent initiatives which would go a long way in catering to the needs of the Indian diaspora across the world.
As a result of the awareness about the role of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, more people are now seeking the Ministry’s assistance in tiding over specific issues that they face. A number of welfare measures for the benefit of expatriates have been extended by the Government and the opening of a 24-hour toll free helpline is one of them.
The Government has established an India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians which would channel contributions that NRIs would like to send home for specific development projects. NRIs wishing to send money for philanthropic reasons can rest assured that their funds would be used for whatever purpose they desire and the Government would identify local NGOs to carry out the activities.
India is a land of diverse cultures, religions, languages and regions. Our strength lies in our unity in the midst of all these diversities. The idea of Indian-ness bonding us together within the country and across the globe is of utmost relevance today. Despite successfully assimilating in your adopted countries, you have managed to retain your strong bonds with India. The bond that the global Indians have maintained with India has led to the persistent demand for dual citizenship.
The Government of India has responded to this demand by launching the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme to facilitate life long visa-free travel to India and provide certain economic, educational and cultural benefits. I am sure, by now over a million overseas Indian citizens have been able to derive the benefits conferred under the scheme. Yesterday, the honourable Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has announced that OCI card holders who are professionals in fields like medicine, engineering and law would be permitted to practice their professions in their motherland in addition to their adopted lands.
Besides being one of the fastest growing economies, India is also a nation of young men and women bubbling with vigour and energy. You would have seen that every nation which makes significant economic progress has working age population as a high percentage of its total population.
In less than 15 years from now, India’s working age population would form a lion’s share of its total population. This gives us a chance to work to achieve higher productivity, savings and investments. To mutually benefit from this opportunity, I invite you all to join India’s march towards prosperity. We wish to benefit from your knowledge just as we wish all of you to benefit from the enormous opportunity that India offers.
The investment climate in the country in general is at its best today even at a time of economic crisis globally. I invite you to be active partners of a new India. I am confident that the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs under the leadership of honourable Minister Mr. Vayalar Ravi would extend all necessary support and take effective steps to strengthen our ever lasting bonds.
Once again, I extend to you all a very warm welcome to India. Thank you.
SEPTEMBER9,2008
States need to modernize Statistical System to match International Standards : Vasan
The Minister for Statistics & Programme Implementation Mr. G.K. Vasan today called for strengthening the data collection mechanism in the country. He said the Central initiatives aimed at giving needed stability & credibility to the system would bear fruit only similar steps are taken in the States. Speaking at the National Conference of State Level Ministers In-charge of Statistics here today, he said the Central Government was considering a proposal for States Statistical System through a centrally sponsored scheme in the Eleventh Plan at an estimated cost of Rs.705 crores.
He said in the decentralized statistical system, National Statistics in many cases are derived from State level. Therefore as a need for States to have separate department of statistics and also a strong statistical machinery at local levels, Mr. Vasan appealed to the State Governments to consider setting up a Statistical Commission to oversee their systems and assist the National Commission in realizing common objectives.
He said to strengthen data collection in this country, the Union Government has introduced the collection of Statistics Bill, 2007 to replace the collection of statistics at 1953 to significantly facilitate data collection at all levels of government.
Speaking on the occasion Prof. Suresh Tendulkar, Chairman National Statistical Commission said that the official statistics provide crucial indicators of the functioning of the society and the economy and hence act as an important instrument of good governance in a democratic society. Persistence of data gaps is a drag on the formulation of appropriate policies. The country needs a statistical system that is commensurate with the needs of vibrant democratic society and the fast growing economy in the 21st Century.
The National Conference would deliberate on important issues related to strengthening of statistical system which includes imparting independence and impartiality to official statistics, improving horizontal and vertical coordination of statistical activities across departments, institutional strengthening of State Statistical System and development of local panchayat raj level statistics and its integration with the State Statistical System for local level development.
JUNE29,2007
Statistics Day Celebrations
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has stressed the role of statistics as the country progresses in the path of development towards becoming a knowledge economy, and as we integrate with the international economic order.
In his address after inaugurating the Statistics Day celebrations, here today, he pointed out that in such a situation, the hallmark of a country's reputation will be the credibility and transparency of its statistical system. Referring to the National Statistical Commission set up by the Government last year towards this end, Dr. Singh observed that two aspects of its mandate are of particular importance.
"The first is to evolve and lay down national quality standards in different areas of statistics; and the second is to exercise statistical coordination between Ministries, Departments and State Governments", he added.
The Prime Minister appealed to all concerned to extend full cooperation to the National Statistical Commission and to actively seek its assistance in improving our statistical data bases. Stating that we should all be proud of our collective heritage in the field of statistics and resolve to take our country to the pinnacle of this discipline, Dr. Singh expressed hope that young statisticians from India will continue to lead the world in theoretical and applied statistics, and bring a further sense of pride and accomplishment to our Nation.
The Prime Minister paid glorious tribute to Late Prof. P.C. Mahalonobis for his pioneering contributions in a wide range of areas including anthropology, educational testing, statistical quality control, agriculture, flood control, meteorology and for institution building. Paying homage to the memory of Professor Mahalanobis, the Minister for Statistics Shri G.K. Vasan said Professor Mahalanobis is the builder of modern statistical system in India. His contributions to the development of statistics as a science are fundamental and well recognised all over the world.
The Government of India has declared 29th June of each year as Statistics Day to be celebrated as a special day at the national level. Statistics Day is meant to give recognition to the contribution of Statistics and of Indian statisticians to the development of the country. It is being held on 29th June, the birth anniversary of Professor P.C. Mahalanobis, the doyen of Indian statistics, to pay tribute to the multi-faceted contributions of Professor Mahalanobis; as a scholar and academician, as an institution builder, and as a pioneer in the application of statistics to development issues.
JULY12,2006
National Statistical Commission operationalisED
The Chairman of the newly constituted National Statistical Commission, Prof. Suresh Tendulkar, along with four part-time members Dr. Surjit S Bhalla, Prof. Amitabh Kundu, Prof. Bikas Sinha and Dr. Padam Singh assumed charge today. Welcoming the Commission, Shri G.K. Vasan Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation said that the setting up of Commission is an important step in developing a proper strategy for the development of national statistics.
Mr Vasan said besides setting up of commission, the Government has also decided to bring in the Central Statistical Organization and National Sample Survey Organization under one mbrella. He said the new set up will be called National Statistical Office. The Ministry has also initiated other steps to bring excellence at the apex level. Shri G.K. Vasan Minister stated that a National Academy for Statistical Administration would come up near Delhi, which will play a significant role in skill up gradation of the statistical professionals
Shri G.K.Vasan expressed the hope that the National Statistical Commission will discharge the responsibilities and enable the official statistical system to play an increased role in formulation of public policy and the decision making process on national issues.
The Government of India through a resolution in June 2005 decided to set up the National Statistical Commission (NSC) to serve as a nodal body for all core official statistical activities. The Commission consists of a part-time Chairman with the status of a Minister of State and four part-time Members with the status of a Secretary to the Government of India. The Secretary Planning Commission is ex-officio Member of the NSC. The Commission and its Secretariat will have its headquarters at New Delhi.
On the basis of the recommendations by the Search Committee headed by Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, the Government of India approved the appointment of Prof. Suresh Tendulkar as the first Chairman of the National Statistical Commission and Dr. Surjit S Bhalla, Prof. Amitabh Kundu, Prof. Bikas Sinha and Dr. Padam Singh as Members. The functions of the NSC would be to :
(a) Evolve and arrange to monitor the nation-wide strategies on: Core Statistics; updating the list of Core Statistics; framing and monitoring the advance release calendar; dissemination of data;
(b) Evolve and arrange to monitor the nation-wide strategies on: Human Resource Development for Official Statistics; Information Technology and Communication needs of the Statistical System;
(c) Improve Public Trust in Statistics by: increasing and promoting public awareness of Official Statistics; monitoring and ensuring reduction of respondent burden; arranging interaction with data users;
(d) Function as Apex Authority on Statistical Coordination: between Central Ministries, departments and other Central agencies; between Central and State Governments;
(e) Ensure Quality Assurance of Statistical Processes; evolve and enforce appropriate statistical standards; declare quality with statistical releases; audit Statistical Activities; determine modality of the release of data;
(f) Constitute Technical Committees of Working Groups to assist the NCS in performing various functions;
(g) Assess legislative requirements periodically.
FEB2,2006
Phase – to - phase monitoring of central schemes to be taken up for timely completion - G.K. Vasan
14:29 IST
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation will take up phase-to-phase monitoring of all central schemes and if required schemes will be further streamlined in consultation with concerned Ministries for timely implementation. Expressing concern over delay in implementation of the welfare schemes in some States, Shri G.K. Vasan, newly appointed Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation said that it would be his utmost priority to see that the benefits of the schemes reaches upto the block level. He added that he would not allow any lackness in the implementation of the schemes specially those of Rs. 20 crore and above.
Replying queries of media persons about ‘MP LED’ scheme, Shri Vasan said that he would have detailed discussions with all concerned for amendment in the scheme. After taking over here today as a Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation Shri Vasan had meeting with the senior officials of the Ministry and reviewed functioning and schemes of the Ministry.
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