The Collection of Statistics Act 2008- A Bird’s-Eye View
June 23, 2017
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (“MOSPI”) came into existence as an Independent Ministry on 15.10.1999 after the merger of the Department of Statistics and the Department of Programme Implementation. The Ministry has two wings, one relating to Statistics and the other Programme Implementation. The Statistics Wing called the National Statistical Office (NSO) consists of the Central Statistical Office (CSO), the Computer centre and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation attaches considerable importance to coverage and quality aspects of statistics released in the country. The statistics released are based on administrative sources, surveys and censuses conducted by the centre and state governments and non-official sources and studies. The surveys conducted by the Ministry are based on scientific sampling methods. Field data are collected through dedicated field staff.
Since India is a member of the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”), fulfilment of the Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS) is mandatory and the MOSPI is ensuring that India fulfils these Standards. In order to continue its endeavour with regard to collection of statistics in a standard manner, MOSPI had notified The Collection Of Statistics Act 2008 (“the Act”), with an objective “to facilitate the collection of statistics on economic, demographic, social, scientific and environmental aspects, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”
Let us examine;
- Key Definitions
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- any Ministry or Department in the Central Government; or
- any Ministry or Department in a State Government or Union territory Administration; or
- any local government that is to say, Panchayats or Municipalities, as the case may be,in relation to the collection of statistics under a direction issued by it under section 3;
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- Method of Collecting the data-
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- FAQs under The Statistics Act, 2008-
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Yes, as per the provisions of the Act, the Statistics officer has the power to;
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The provisions of the Act are such that the informant is compelled to provide the information sought and the informants are bound to furnish the information sought in the prescribed manner to the best of knowledge and belief. |
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Any information furnished to the statistics officer or to any person or agencies authorised under this Act, shall be used only for statistical purpose. Further the Statistics officer shall, while copying or recording any statistical information collected pursuant to this Act from individual returns, information schedules, worksheets or any other confidential source by means of cards, tapes, discs, film or any other method, whether using encoded or plain language symbols for processing, storage or reproduction of particulars, take and cause to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the security provisions of this Act are complied with. |
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The Act and the Rules made there under provide for adequate confidentiality for the data collected and for appropriate safeguards when data collection is outsourced.
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The Act provides penalties for neglect or refusal to furnish information. The penalty is up to Rs. 1,000/- for individuals (Rs. 5,000/- in case of a company). More importantly, the obligation to furnish information under the Act will not cease after conviction for an offence.
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- Tailpiece-
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