CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - Government of Himachal Pradesh

DESHP
Himachal Pradesh State Strategic Statistical Plan 251
CHAPTER 9
LEGAL PROTECTION FOR DATA COLLECTION
Statistical legislation
AND DISSEMINATION
For any Statistical System the process of data collection starts with the selection of
the sample units (in a sample survey) or from every individual units if it is conducted
as a census and complete enumeration. Primary data are collected directly from
individuals and institutions under National Sample Survey, Economic Census,
Handlooms survey, Agricultural Wages, etc. On the other hand secondary data are
collected from administrative records or statutory returns from various government
departments, institutions and industries. The quality and timeliness of data
collection mainly depend on the cooperation of the respondents.
Generally collection of data is influenced by psychological determinants such as the
way the data collectors (investigators) approach the respondents and data suppliers.
Success of the process of data collection depends on the skills of the investigators
such as tactics, persuasion ability, patience, lateral attitudes etc. If the investigator is
facilitated or provided with specific legal provisions, it would enable the investigator
to collect quality data and the morale of the investigator would improve with a sense
of security.
The urgent need of the hour is broader legislation, conferring statutory power to the
personnel of the statistical system. The Government of India have been in the
process of putting the entire data collection within a legal framework, laying down
the obligations and rights of the respondents as well as those of the data collectors.
The National Statistical Commission as a high level body having a policy-making,
standard-setting and co-ordinating role for the statistical system is for broader
legislation in this regard.
Presently there are two laws relating to collection of Statistics, called Census Act,
1948 and Collection of Statistics Act, 1953. There is a third set of laws, mainly for
administrative purposes, under which statutory returns have to be submitted to
specified authorities. These returns are an important source of official statistics. This