Centre to use tech to reduce time-lapse between survey, policy-making

The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation will continue to focus on technology to reduce the time lag between surveys to enable evidence-based policy making and increase the frequency of such periodic studies, said a senior official. Addressing a 'Data user conference on Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23' Statistics Secretary Saurabh Garg said, "Use of technology is something which we will continue to focus on as we move ahead. The purpose of that is to ensure that the time period between surveys can be reduced." Citing examples of HCES, PLFS (periodic labour force survey), he said many of these surveys are annual and the ministry is trying to find out which of these surveys can be made quarterly or even monthly. Later talking to reporters on the sidelines, Garg said the ministry is looking at making PLFS a monthly study. Presently, PLFS is brought out quarterly and annually. Considering the importance of availability of labour force data at more .