Basing policy decisions on false data is perhaps the reason for all the ills that plague our economy — high inflation, black money, inequality of income, unemployment, poor GDP growth and poverty levels, among other things. The potential of information technology has not been fully exploited. Data on the economic activities and income levels of people, especially in the self-employed category, do not correctly reflect the real employment and poverty levels. It is time some serious attention is paid to collect data on earnings, employment and the poverty level of people so that policy decisions on subsidies, taxation, inflation and the welfare of people can be better targeted and achieved.
T V Gopalakrishnan, on email
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