The delay in conducting the census, which was due in 2021, is making old population samples less representative, Pronab Sen, head of the Standing Committee on Statistics and former chief statistician of India, tells Rajat Mishra. He insists that there is nothing wrong with the sampling methodologies, rebutting allegations by Shamika Ravi, member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, about the samples of national surveys being faulty. According to him, the discrepancies that she has referred to were because of the difference in purpose-specific definitions
What is the difference between the Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) and the Consumption Expenditure Survey?
The SECC was conducted for the first time in 2011. The way it was done was to construct a multidimensional index, but there was no cut-off that was specified, which means that the line which is called the poverty line was not there. The SECC is a census, which means that it is done at the individual level. However, all sample surveys are conducted at the household level. The consumption survey measures only expenditure poverty. It is used as a proxy for the income. It does not measure multidimensional poverty; it is not designed to do so. The SECC was designed to identify individuals. You cannot use the National Family Healthy Survey to identify particular households. According to me, poverty is an income concept, not a deprivation concept.
How do you see the impact of the delay in conducting census in India?
This story is from the September 2023 edition of Outlook Business.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2023 edition of Outlook Business.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SHANKAR PRASAD
C'EST LA VIE - MY FAVOURITE
Star Plus
Actor Keerthy Suresh's talents extend far beyond the silver screen. In a chat with Prachi Khanna, she talks about her growing interest in the world of investments - from real estate to tech to co-owning a cricket team
Shelter From the Storm
Taking care of 500-plus homeless was only the first of the challenges; the 24-year-old social worker has done more since
Saying No to Jugaad
In India, people often rely on a quick-fix approach to manage the daily challenges of taking insulin shots. But a Gen-Z innovator has other ideas
Green Skills Champion
An unexpected career choice was the beginning of efforts to demystify the conversation around climate change and raise awareness
Force of Change
An educator's journey that started in the municipal schools of Andheri West is helping bridge the learning gap among young students
An Appetite for Health
The 'food pharmer' has taken on some of the biggest names in the FMCG sector. His mission: to get consumers to read product labels
More Than Medals
India's success at the Paris Paralympics can inspire a new era of inclusivity
Checkmate
A new generation of chess elite, backed by early mentorship and building on the wins of the previous generation, is cementing India's place at the top
On A Strong Wicket
Team India has had a mixed month but a good year. This was the year Rohit Sharma and his boys brought the T20 World Cup back home
