Restore data credibility

Govt move to set up new panel of statisticians welcome

It is welcome news that a high-level panel under former chief statistician Pronab Sen has been set up to examine currently used surveys of employment, industry, and services. These surveys are essential inputs into various major official statistics, in particular the estimates of gross domestic product (GDP). The 28-member committee has its work cut out. India’s official statistics have recently been widely questioned, as on occasion they seem to work at cross-purposes with other high-frequency indicators of the economy. More worryingly, their credibility and independence from political interference have also come under fire. Government choices in terms of concealing some