Even if critical, govt must make employment data available: Kaushik Basu

Noted economist Kaushik Basu Saturday urged the government to make available "employment data" even if it is "critical" so that corrective action could be taken.

He also raised concerns over "unmistakable signs" of India's economy "slowing down over the last few years".

"Given that India has a remarkable global reputation (on statistical data), we don't want that to be damaged. Actually, in general, data is fine but it is the employment data that we have to work harder on and make available, even when it is critical," Basu said.

Basu, former chief economic adviser to the Manmohan Singh government, was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 54th convocation of Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad.

The former chief economist of the World Bank said the data will help us "see what's happening and then take corrective action".

Basu's comments come at a time when a group of 108 economists and social scientists Thursday expressed concerns over "political interference" in influencing statistical data in India.

The group had called for restoration of "institutional independence" and integrity to the statistical organisations.

In his convocation address, Basu said, "It is unfortunate that data on unemployment is being held back. The concern about this, expressed recently by 108 leading economists, is genuine."