STANDING COMMITTEES ON STATISTICS (SCoS)
1. Context
The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has dissolved the 14-member Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS) headed by eminent economist and former chief statistician of the country Pronab Sen. Geeta Singh Rathore, Director-General of the Ministry’s National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), told the SCoS members that its works overlapped with that of the Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys, headed by Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, former director of the Chennai Mathematical Institute and this was cited as the reason for dismantling the SCoS. Dr. Sen has said that the SCoS members had questioned the delay in conducting the census, as censuses have long been a crucial source of reliable data for policymakers. He also complained that the members were not given any specific reason for the committee’s dissolution.
2. What is the Standing Committee on Statistics?
- The Standing Committees on Statistics (SCoS) are expert committees established to provide guidance and oversight in improving the quality, credibility, and timeliness of official statistics in India.
- These committees are generally formed under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) or other related government bodies to enhance the statistical system of the country
- The SCoS provided recommendations to the government on survey methodologies, such as sampling frameworks, designs, instruments, and questions. It played a crucial role in finalizing survey tabulation plans, reviewing existing frameworks, and addressing issues related to subjects, outcomes, and methods that arose periodically across all surveys.
- The SCoS's mandate also involved offering guidance for conducting pilot surveys or pre-tests, assessing the availability of administrative data for surveys/statistics, identifying data gaps, suggesting additional data needs, and offering technical advice to both central and state agencies involved in conducting surveys
3. Steering Committee
- The Steering Committee, which has replaced the SCoS, consists of 17 members and one non-member secretary. At least four experts from the SCoS have been retained in the new committee, alongside officials like Ms. Rathore.
- The four experts who continue to serve are Sonalde Desai, Bishwanath Goldar, S. Chandrasekhar, and Mausumi Bose.
- The Steering Committee has a tenure of two years, and its Terms of Reference closely mirror those of the SCoS, including the review of subject results, methodologies, questionnaires, sampling frames, designs, concepts, definitions, and survey instruments for all National Sample Surveys. It will also provide recommendations to the Ministry on survey methodology and finalize survey tabulation plans.
- Although both committees share similar responsibilities, the Steering Committee's composition differs by having more official members, while the SCoS included a larger number of non-official members
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Census in India
The Census of India is a comprehensive and systematic collection of demographic, social, and economic data on the population of India. It is the largest administrative exercise conducted by the Government of India and provides vital information that helps in policy-making, resource allocation, and understanding population trends
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For Prelims: Standing Committees, Ethics Committees, Adhoc Committees
For Mains: Parliamentary Committees of Indian Parliament
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Previous Year Questions
1. Consider the following statements: The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (UPSC CSE 2013)
1. consists of not more than 25 members of the Lok Sabha.
2. scrutinizes appropriation and finance accounts of the Government.
3. examines the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 Only
B. 2 and 3 Only
C. 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer (B)
2.With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc. conferred by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation ? (UPSC CSE, 2018)
(a) Committee on Government Assurances (b) Committee on Subordinate Legislation (c) Rules Committee (d) Business Advisory Committee Answer (b)
3.Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament? (UPSC CSE, 2014)
(a) The Committee on Public Accounts (b) The Committee on Estimates (c) The Committee on Public Undertakings (d) The Committee on Petitions Answer (b)
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Source: The Hindu
