Training for statistics officers and field staff underway in Kohima

KOHIMA — A two-day training programme on Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) sub-schemes on forest and forest product in Nagaland, time use survey in Nagaland and income disparity in Nagaland got underway at the conference hall of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics in Kohima on Tuesday.

A total of 55 district statistics officers (DSOs) and field staff of the department of Economics and Statistics are attending the training programme.

The survey on forest and forest product in Nagaland envisaged finding the value of forest for GSDP estimation, time use survey to get details on how one spends time for day-to-day activities and the survey on income disparity aims to find discrepancy of income between districts.

Following the training programme, the survey would begin on October 21 and conclude on November 30, 2024.

Addressing the inaugural session, the secretary of Economics and Statistics and P&AR, Akunu S Meyase, said that three surveys are to be conducted simultaneously and expressed hope that it would help the surveyors in the best possible way of data collection.

Emphasising on the importance of honest collection of data, she stated that data collected on the ground influence the decisions to be taken by the government, line-departments, researchers and others.

Neidilhou Keditsu, director of Economics and Statistics, informed that the department had previously conducted surveys and collected reliable data. He added that training is being conducted keeping in mind that now is the right time for data collection.

“We are among the front runners when it comes to statistics and data collection in the country,” he said.

He also laid emphasised on the significance of collecting reliable and accurate data for accurate policy planning and urged DSO and statistical officers to collect data with sincerity.

Charles N Kikon, additional director, gave an overview of the survey and informed that it would be the last leg of training under SSS sub-schemes.

Resource persons of the two-day training are Economics and Statistics Officers (ESO) namely Kiutan Simon, Sevosalu Resu, Dr. Tumbenthung Y Humtsoe and Ingauzeule Kenrang; deputy director Vikosieto Krose and inspector of Statistics, M Renchio Murry.