Welcome to the 1st State Statisticians Conference

Anandasagar Reddy, M.B.A

District Statistical Officer, Bidar

Evolving Standards forData Collection and Reporting

“Statistics is the study of collection,

organization, analysis, interpretation and

presentation of data.

It deals with all aspects of this, including

the planning of data collection in terms

of the design of surveys and experiments”.

History/background

• The history of statistics can be said to start around first introduced by Gottfried Achenwall in 1749 originally designated the analysis of data about the state.

• It acquired the meaning of the collection and classification of data generally in the 19th century.

• The use of statistical methods dates back to 5 th century BC, the Athenians calculated the height of the wall of platea by counting the number of bricks in un-plastered section of the wall.

• Even in the epic- Mahabaratha, King Rtupara estimated the number of fruits and leaves on two great branches of Vibhitaka tree by counting them on single twig and estimated the fruits and leaves of the tree, which was found to be very close to the actual number.

• By the 18th century the term “statistics” designated the systematic collection of demographic and economic data by states. In the early 19th century, the meaning of “statistics” broadened to include the discipline concerned with the collection, summary, and analysis of data.

• During 20th century the creation of precise instruments of agricultural research, public health concerns, industrial quality control, and economic and social purposes necessitated substantial advances in statistical practices.

• Today the use of statistics has broadened far beyond its origins. Individuals and organizations use statistics to understand data and make informed decisions throughout the natural and social sciences, medicine, and other areas.

• That is, statistics is widely employed in Government and business. Electronic computers have expedited statistical computation, and have allowed statisticians to develop “computer-intensive” methods.

PRESENT STATUS

The data collected at district level by the directorate of economics and statistics is classified into two categories viz .,

1) primary data and

2) secondary data

The Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore, Government of Karnataka is engaged in the process of data collection and reporting to the Government.

Primary data

All the statistical information’s collected by way of census, experiments, surveys etc., directly through the source is classified as primary data. The details of the primary data collected by the department through district offices are:

 

a) Census:- agriculture census, economic census, minor irrigation census, etc.

b) Surveys:- input survey, sample check ( TRS, ICS AS1.0

and AS1.1), national sample survey, industrial survey, employment and un-employment survey, etc.

c) Experiments:- crop cutting experiments of agriculture crops and fruits and vegetables, central sample- CES2.0, etc.

d) Crop area Statistics:- season wise, crop wise, source wise details of the land utilization.

e) Rainfall:- the details of the daily records of the rainfall in all rain gauge stations.

f) Prices:- collection of the details of weekly, fortnightly, monthly prices of the agricultural products, consumer products, rural wage rates etc.

g) Birth and Death:- collection of details of Registrar wise information on birth, death, still birth.

Secondary Data

Sir. M. M . Blair has defined the secondary data as “Secondary data are those already in existence for some purpose than the answering of the question in hand”.

The merits of using the secondary data for the users are:-

a) It is convenient.

b) It saves time and finances.

c) In some cases primary data cannot be collected. The Details of the Secondary data collected and publishing by the department are:-

1) State/District at a Glance.

2) Socio-Economic Review.

3) District Income, etc.

Publishing of District at a Glance

Since the formation of Directorate (Bureau) of Economics and Statistics, District Statistical Officers, are compiling and publishing “District at a Glance”. The hand book of District at a Glance is transformed from less than 100 columns to nearly 2000 columns at present. This handy hand book is being used by Government departments and general public.

Objectives

• Publishing of DAG in the first quarter, i.e. by the end of June, of the succeeding year.

Gaps

The gaps identified in publishing of District at a

Glance are:-

• Delay in printing and publishing of DAG’s.

• Variations in the data furnished at the district level to that of state level.

• Hurdles in collection of data i.e. poor response by the other District level Officers.

Recommendations to fill the Gaps

To achieve the aforesaid objectives apart from the efforts of KSSDA on the development through the Statistical strengthening project following are recommended.

• The forms designed to collect the information from State level are to be standardized.

• The information flow from the District level should include the taluka wise details of the standard items required for inclusion in DAG.

• At the end of the financial year, i.e. up to 31st March, the details are to be furnished by the District level officer to their State level officer by 15th April; in the required forms and marking a copy to the District Statistical Officers ( This avoids the variations in the data). This should be enforced by the concerned State level officers.

• All the DAG’s, after enforcing the aforesaid recommendations, should be published at the District level latest by 30th June.

• Enforcing the collection of statistics Act 2010 by appointing the District Statistical Officers as District nodal officers for the State matters.

Conclusion

• It is evident from the above that, by using a little different method for collection of information, intime reporting of the details to the Directorate.

• This enables the DSO’s to publish the DAG’s within three months after the completion of financial year.

• The details so collected, reported and published are variations free, dependable, timely and qualitative.

Anandasagar Reddy, M.B.A

District Statistical Officer, Bidar