The ministry of statistics and programme implementation will look to interact more with the state governments to boost state GDP and district-wise GDP numbers, Saurabh Garg, secretary to the ministry, said on August 23.

Garg highlighted the need for more granular statistics for data-based decision-making at the Data User Conference of Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises, held in Chennai. “We ensure all our data adheres to international data standards,” Garg noted.

While states do release district-wise data, it is usually made available with a time lag and not updated frequently across states. “We are working on the availability of data in the usable format,” the secretary said, pointing to the e-sankhyiki portal launched by the ministry earlier this year.

RL Karandikar, chairman of the National Statistical Commission, also mentioned the fast evolving nature in the functioning of the ministry. “The MoSPI is trying to change and seek opinions on whatever can be done to make data available in a user-friendly format,” he said.

Karandikar also pointed to the efforts on data being made available in a timely manner and reduce the time of data releases.

The secretary, on the other hand, highlighted to the increased focus on technology. “All our data is collected on tablets, we have done away with pen and paper,” Garg said.