In a bid to elevate the standards of statistical data collection across the state, the Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DE&S), Government of Odisha, successfully conducted a two-day training-cum-orientation programme on December 4-5, 2025.
Focused on Price Statistics on the first day and Irrigation & Spring Census on the second, the event aimed to enhance the quality, consistency, and coverage of ongoing statistical activities at the field level.
The programme was inaugurated by Director Dr B. B. Nanda, who underscored the critical importance of a standardised understanding of concepts and definitions under these schemes. “Field-level variations in interpretation can severely impact data quality and comparability,” Dr Nanda remarked. He stressed that high-quality data forms the backbone of evidence-based policymaking and nation-building, urging participants to implement the learnings diligently in their districts to ensure accuracy, reliability, and timeliness.
A key highlight of the initiative is the formation of nine specialised teams, comprising senior officials from DE&S Headquarters and the three Ranges. These teams are set to visit all districts in Odisha to evaluate data quality and completeness, pinpoint inconsistencies, and provide on-the-ground capacity building for Supervisors and Enumerators. Additionally, the teams will engage with District Magistrate-cum-Collectors to review district-specific data performance and refine monitoring mechanisms.
The technical sessions offered an in-depth exploration of the conceptual frameworks, definitions, and procedural guidelines for both Price Statistics and Census activities. Participants benefited from live demonstrations of digital data collection tools, workflow processes, and practical field applications. Discussions centred on essential checkpoints, validation rules, and monitoring protocols, equipping officers to conduct thorough scrutiny and submit error-free data.
The sessions were expertly facilitated by Additional Director Shri Sabyasachi Dutta and Joint Director Shri Nirmal Kumar Sahoo, with valuable contributions from Additional Director Shri P. M. Dwibedy and subject-matter experts Md. Feroz Khan, Dr B. N. Mohanty, and Dr. K. C. Pani. These leaders addressed real-world operational challenges and shared insights to overcome field hurdles.
The programme saw active participation from a cadre of senior officers, including the Additional Director of DE&S, the Additional Director of the Northern Range, and Joint Directors from the Central and Southern Ranges, along with their teams. All Joint Directors, Deputy Directors, and other headquarters officials from DE&S were present, fostering collaborative deliberations and bolstering preparedness for the impending district visits.
This training marks a significant step toward fortifying Odisha’s statistical infrastructure, ensuring that data-driven decisions propel the state’s development agenda forward.
