How statistical information can be used

How statistical information can be used

News:

1. The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Act of 2017 authorises the Centre to decide the manner in which statistical information can be used.

Important facts:

2. The key features of the amended act are given below:

• It will empower the Central government to make rules on the powers and duties of a nodal officer to coordinate statistical activities in the Central government or a State government or UT under Section 6 of the act.
• The act also extends the jurisdiction of the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, to Jammu and Kashmir under List I (Union List) and List III (Concurrent List) in the seventh Schedule to the Constitution.
• The act will also strengthen the data collection mechanism in Jammu and Kashmir.

3. The original Act of 2008 had restricted the data collected to be used only for statistical purpose.

4. The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, was enacted to facilitate the collection of statistics on economic, demographic, social, scientific and environmental aspects, among others.

5. The Act had originally extended to the whole of India, except Jammu and Kashmir.

6. The Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature enacted the Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010, which extends to the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and is almost a replica of the Central legislation.

7. The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, and the Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010, were not applicable to statistical subjects falling in the Union List, as applicable to Jammu and Kashmir under the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954.