Its taxpayers right to get quality data: PM
New Delhi: Panchayats will be equipped to compile and monitor data at the local level to ensure a credible statistical system and effective monitoring of government schemes. The proposal, which will be launched on a pilot basis, is part of the Centres initiative to strengthen the State Statistical System and develop panchayat level statistics through a Rs 705 crore central scheme in the 11th Plan.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, addressing the National Conference of state statistics ministers on Tuesday, said the scheme by itself would not help improve the quality of official data unless greater importance was attached to the statistical activities of primary data collection and recording.
Given the dramatic increase in the funds for flagship programmes in the areas of education, health and rural development, Singh said there was a need for independent evaluation of these programmes over and above the evaluation done by the ministries concerned and the Planning Commission based on data generated both by the government and others.
The Centre is also examining data sharing policies to bring all non-strategic information in the public domain. A pro-active policy of disclosure will be in line with the spirit of the Right to Information Act. Information collected at huge cost, with the tax payers money, should be made available to the general public without their having to ask for it. This will improve the quality of the data as it will be subject to informed public scrutiny, the PM said.
He also called for greater cooperation between the Central Statistical Organisation and central ministries.