Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 11
Asserting that we cannot do without an efficient statistical system, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio today stated that an effective governance system depends on the quality of data and our ability to analyze and interpret that data accurately.
Rio said that a good statistical system makes an effective governing system and reliable data brings successful social reforms.
Speaking at the “Interactive workshop on official statistics” under the aegis of the Department of Economics & Statistics here at The Heritage, Rio stated that wrong statistics leads to wrong decisions which ultimately lead to unanticipated and unauthorized outcome.
Also stating that there is confusion in the data of the state, he said “We cannot do proper planning with wrong census.” He further added stating that 2001 census was inaccurate and thereby rejected by the cabinet.
It is the objective of the state government to formulate action oriented pragmatic decisions to boost the development of the state which he said can only be possible by strengthening the statistical status of the state.
Also stating that there are many bogus in term of bogus pensioners, bogus teachers, bogus bills, he insisted that multiple entry/registration is checked and avoided.
The Chief Minister also said that the department of economics & statistics has been set up as a nodal department for implementing all statistical activities of the state. He, however said that economics and statistics department is not the sole department to collect data, adding all the departments have to hold responsibility to give accurate figures and assessment to make a correct data so that we can find our strength and weakness and give priority to such sectors.
In this, he called upon all the departments to cooperate with the economics and statistics department. Unless we work together, one day we will be in huge trouble, he said.
Rio said that through the accurate and reliable data, the government can plan and work for the development of the state.
Earlier, National Statistical Commission (NSC) acting chairman Dr. Sudipto Mundle delivered keynote address while welcome address was delivered by Alemtemshi Jamir, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner. The function was chaired by Tohanba, Parliamentary Secretary for IPR and Economics & Statistics. Introduction of the resource persons was made by Y. Sacheo Ovung, Director, DES.
The inaugural function was followed by the plenary session where Prof. Manoj Pant, Center of International Trade & Development, JNU, New Delhi, Ashish Kumar, ISS, Additional Director General, CSO, MoSPI, GoI, V. Hekali Zhimomi, IAS, Director, Census Operation, Nagaland, MHA, GoI were the resource persons. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. L. Daniel Longchar, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland.
Topics covered during plenary session included “Statistics the cornerstone of development,” “Developing strategies for strengthening officials statistics and “Demographic profile and its relevance in socio-economic policy of a region.”
