The Chairman of the newly constituted National Statistical Commission, Prof. Suresh Tendulkar, along with four part-time members Dr. Surjit S Bhalla, Prof. Amitabh Kundu, Prof. Bikas Sinha and Dr. Padam Singh assumed charge today. Welcoming the Commission, Shri G.K. Vasan Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation said that the setting up of Commission is an important step in developing a proper strategy for the development of national statistics.

Mr Vasan said besides setting up of commission, the Government has also decided to bring in the Central Statistical Organization and National Sample Survey Organization under one mbrella. He said the new set up will be called National Statistical Office. The Ministry has also initiated other steps to bring excellence at the apex level.  Shri G.K. Vasan Minister stated that a National Academy for Statistical Administration would come up near Delhi, which will play a significant role in skill up gradation of the statistical professionals

Shri G.K.Vasan expressed the hope that the National Statistical Commission will discharge the responsibilities  and enable the official statistical system to play an increased role in formulation of public policy and the decision making process on national issues.

The Government of India through a resolution in June 2005 decided to set up the National Statistical Commission (NSC) to serve as a nodal body for all core official statistical activities.  The Commission consists of a part-time Chairman with the status of a Minister of State and four part-time Members with the status of a Secretary to the Government of India.  The Secretary Planning Commission is ex-officio Member of the NSC.  The Commission and its Secretariat will have its headquarters at New Delhi.

On the basis of the recommendations by the Search Committee headed by Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, the Government of India approved the appointment of Prof. Suresh Tendulkar as the first Chairman of the National Statistical Commission and Dr. Surjit S Bhalla, Prof. Amitabh Kundu, Prof. Bikas Sinha and Dr. Padam Singh as Members. The functions of the NSC would be to :

(a) Evolve and arrange to monitor the nation-wide strategies on: Core Statistics; updating the list of Core Statistics; framing and monitoring the advance release calendar; dissemination of data; 

(b) Evolve and arrange to monitor the nation-wide strategies on: Human Resource Development for Official Statistics; Information Technology and Communication needs of the Statistical System;

(c) Improve Public Trust in Statistics by: increasing and promoting public awareness of Official Statistics; monitoring and ensuring reduction of respondent burden; arranging interaction with data users;

(d) Function as Apex Authority on Statistical Coordination: between Central Ministries, departments and other Central agencies; between Central and State Governments;

(e) Ensure Quality Assurance of Statistical Processes; evolve and enforce appropriate statistical standards; declare quality with statistical releases; audit Statistical Activities; determine modality of the release of data;

(f) Constitute Technical Committees of Working Groups to assist the NCS in performing various functions;

(g) Assess legislative requirements periodically.