In a bid to revamp the statistical apparatus of the state, the Orissa government has set in motion the process to prepare a 'State Strategic Statistical Plan'.
A steering committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the state Chief Secretary T K Mishra to decide the modalities of the proposed plan. Under this plan, the Directorate of Economics and Statistics under the department of Planning and Coordination, will act as the nodal agency for the implementation of the Plan.
Besides the steering committee, a four-member project management team chaired by Additional Development Commissioner, R N Senapati has also been formed to work out the design and other specialist issues of the Plan, an official source told Business Standard.
In addition, a consultant has been hired for technical advice and support.The 'State Strategic Statistical Plan' is being taken up under the World Bank assisted India Statistical Strengthening Project. The total cost of the project, excluding land and maintenance, is estimated at '675 crore, out of which the government’s contribution will be around 20 per cent. The remaining 80 per cent, or '540 crore, will come from the World Bank.A total of 20 states have agreed to prepared 'State Strategic Statistical Plans'.
The 'State Strategic Statistical Plan' would focus on 20 key statistical activities to achieve the main mission of the Indian Statistical System. The main mission of the Indian Statistical System would be to provide within the decentralized structure of the system, reliable, timely and credible social and economic statistics, to assist decision making within and outside the government, stimulate research as well as promote informed debate relating to conditions affecting people's life.