Lok Sabha Debates
Further Discussion On ''The Collection Of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, Moved By ... on 11 April, 2017
Sixteenth Loksabha an> Title: Further discussion on 'The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, moved by Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda on 23.03.17 (Discussion concluded).
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The House will not take up Item No. 32.
श्री जुगल किशोर (जम्मू) : माननीय उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, आपने मुझे सांख्यिकीय संग्रहण (संशोधन) विधेयक, 2017 पर बोलने का मौका दिया, उसके लिए मैं आपका आभार प्रकट करता हूँ।
देश के प्रधानमंत्री माननीय श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी जी के नेतृत्व में माननीय मंत्री श्री सदानन्द गौड़ा जी द्वारा लाये गये इस विधेयक में वर्ष 2008 के अधिनियम में संशोधन किया गया है। इस विधेयक का विस्तार जम्मू-कश्मीर राज्य तक करने का प्रावधान इस बिल में किया गया है, जिसका वहाँ के लोगों को भी बहुत लाभ मिलेगा। पहले वहाँ के लोगों को इसका लाभ नहीं मिल पा रहा था। इसका एक बहुत बड़ा संदेश पूरे भारतवर्ष में भी जाएगा।
मैं कहना चाहता हूँ कि इस विधेयक के उद्देश्यों और कारणों में कहा गया है कि सांख्यिकीय संग्रहण अधिनियम, 2008 केन्द्र, राज्य और संघ-राज्य क्षेत्रों के मंत्रालयों या विभागों या स्थानीय सरकारों द्वारा आर्थिक, जनसांख्यिकीय, सामाजिक, वैज्ञानिक, पर्यावरणीय आदि कई पहलुओं पर सांख्यिकी के संग्रहण को सरल बनाने के लिए यह विधेयक लाया गया है।
इस विधेयक में केन्द्र सरकार और प्रत्येक राज्य सरकार को सांख्यिकीय क्रियाकलापों के समन्वय और पर्यवेक्षण के लिए अन्य शक्तियों का प्रयोग तथा अन्य कर्त्तव्यों का पालन करने के लिए अपने अधिकारियों में से किसी एक अधिकारी को नोडल ऑफिसर बनाने की बात कही गयी है। विधेयक में कहा गया है कि केंद्र सरकार या राज्य सरकार अपने किसी भी अधिकारी को नोडल ऑफिसर बनाने का अधिकार रखती है।
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, यह एक साहसिक और ऐतिहासिक कदम है। जब से देश में नरेन्द्र भाई मोदी जी की सरकार इस देश में बनी है, तब से देश में ऐतिहासिक कदम उठाए जा रहे हैं, चाहे वे कदम जी.एस.टी. बिल के संबंध में हों या चाहे वह नोटबंदी का कदम हो। कल आपने और हम सभी ने देखा कि ओ.बी.सी. कमीशन को संवैधानिक दर्जा दिलाया गया है। ये इस सरकार के सब से बड़े ऐतिहासिक कदम रहे हैं। इन कदमों का लाभ आने वाले दिनों में लोगों को मिलेगा। इस देश की जनता ने इन कदमों का स्वागत किया है और जनता इन कदमों की सराहना कर रही है। इन आँकड़ों के संग्रहण हेतु इस संशोधन विधेयक के माध्यम से सही डाटा उपलब्ध हो सकेगा। हम यह मानकर चलते हैं कि पहले यह डाटा उपलब्ध नहीं होता था। जब डाटा सही तरीके से उपलब्ध होगा, तभी देश में डेवलपमेंट हो सकेगा।
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, इस बिल के द्वारा यह भी पता लगाया जा सकेगा कि किस वर्ग का व्यक्ति कहाँ रहता है, उनमें से कौन गरीब और कौन अमीर है और किस वर्ग के लोगों की क्या जरूरतें हैं। इससे आने वाले दिनों में उनकी बेहतरी के लिए प्लानिंग कर के योजनाएँ बनाते वक्त, इन आँकड़ों का पूरा सहयोग मिलेगा। जब आँकड़े सही होंगे, तो योजनाएँ अच्छी तरह से बन सकेंगी और लागू भी हो सकेंगी।
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, इसके और भी कई लाभ हैं। आज से पहले भी ऐसा होता आया है कि कोई व्यक्ति कई आइडेंटिटी कार्ड्स बनाकर लोगों को धोखा देते रहे हैं। इस तरह के व्यक्ति ऐसे फ्रॉड्स करते आए हैं। हमने देखा है कि इससे पहले जो सरकारें रहीं, उनमें कई तरह के फ्रॉड्स होते थे, लेकिन अब आने वाले दिनों में इसे आधार के साथ जोड़ा जा रहा है, जिससे सही आँकड़े प्राप्त होंगे, जिससे इस प्रकार के फ्रॉड्स नहीं होंगे।
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं यह भी कहना चाहता हूँ कि केंद्र की योजनाओं का सीधा लाभ विशेष तौर पर गरीबों को मिलना चाहिए, जो कि पहले नहीं मिलता था। मैं अपनी बात जल्दी ही खत्म करूँगा। माननीय नरेन्द्र भाई मोदी जी ने गरीबों के कल्याण के लिए कई योजनाएँ चलाई हैं, जिनका सीधा लाभ गरीबों को मिल रहा है। अब धांधलियों का दौर भी खत्म हो चुका है। सही आँकड़े न मिलने के कारण लोगों को कई प्रकार की परेशानियों का सामना करना पड़ता था। पहले गरीब किसानों और माताओं व बहनों को इस प्रकार की योजनाओं का लाभ नहीं मिल पाता था। अब उन सभी लोगों को इन योजनाओं से लाभ मिलेगा। उज्ज्वला स्कीम का लाभ, आवास का लाभ और पेंशन का लाभ इन लोगों को मिलेगा।
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, अब जम्मू-कश्मीर के लोग भी इन योजनाओं का लाभ उठा पाएंगे, जो कि बरसों से वे नहीं उठा पाते थे। मैं आपके माध्यम से सदन तक यह बात भी पहुँचाना चाहता हूँ कि जम्मू-कश्मीर को कुछ विशेषाधिकार मिले हुए हैं। हम सभी जानते हैं कि जम्मू-कश्मीर प्रदेश को कुछ विशेष अधिकार दिए गए हैं, लेकिन ये अधिकार सिर्फ कहने के लिए ही विशेष हैं। इनकी वजह से जम्मू-कश्मीर काफी पीछे चला गया है। आर्थिक और सामाजिक विकास की दृष्टि से देखने पर पता चलता है कि जम्मू-कश्मीर के लोग आज तक अपने पाँव पर नहीं खड़े हो सके हैं।
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, इसका कारण...*हैं। यदि ऐसे कदम पहले उठाए गए होते तो जम्मू कश्मीर की आज यह हालत न हुई होती। जो काम अब हो रहा है, वह काफी पहले ही हो जाना चाहिए था। ...(व्यवधान)
कुमारी सुष्मिता देव (सिल्चर): ...(व्यवधान) आप बिल पर बोलिए।
श्री जुगल किशोर: मैं बिल पर ही बोल रहा हूँ। आप लोगों ने जम्मू-कश्मीर को इग्नोर कर के रखा था। इस बिल के माध्यम से जम्मू कश्मीर भी भारत के बाकी वर्गों के साथ शामिल हो जाएगा। यह ...(कार्यवाही-वृत्तान्त में सम्मिलित नहीं किया गया।) की स्वार्थ की राजनीति थी, जिसके कारण आज जम्मू कश्मीर की यह हालत है।
17.00 hours अगर... * ने ... * के साथ दोस्ती न निभाई होती और स्वार्थ की राजनीति न की होती तो न ही जम्मू कश्मीर के दो टुकड़े होते और न ही आज पी.ओ.के. होता। ...(व्यवधान)
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं बताना चाहता हूं कि आज जम्मू कश्मीर के जो हालात हैं, वह... *की देन है। यह कांग्रेस की स्वार्थ की राजनीति के कारण हुआ है। आज जम्मू कश्मीर के लोग दर-दर की ठोकरें खा रहे हैं,...(व्यवधान) वे दूसरे प्रदेशों की श्रेणी में नहीं आ रहे हैं। आज जम्मू कश्मीर डेवलप नहीं हो पा रहा है।...(व्यवधान)
मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि यह जो बिल है, इस बिल के माध्यम से लोग देश के साथ जुड़ेंगे और जम्मू कश्मीर के लोगों को भी इस बिल के माध्यम से पूरा लाभ मिलेगा।
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, यदि आप इजाजत दें तो मैं बताना चाहूंगा कि किस तरह से ... * ने जम्मू कश्मीर का बेड़ा ग़र्क किया था, जिसका ख़ामियाज़ा हम आज तक भुगत रहे हैं।...(व्यवधान) मुझे इस बात की खुशी है कि जम्मू कश्मीर को इस बिल के माध्यम से लाभ मिलेगा और सही आंकड़े सीधे केंद्र को मिलेंगे। एक नोडल ऑफीसर नियुक्त किया गया है। इसका बहुत बड़ा लाभ आम जनता को भी मिलने वाला है। मैं आपके माध्यम से इस बिल का समर्थन करता हूं और स्वागत करता हूं।
SHRI THOTA NARASIMHAM (KAKINADA): Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on the Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017. This is a very important Bill. I support the Bill on behalf of the Telugu Desam Party. This Bill extends its jurisdiction to Jammu and Kashmir for collection of statistics pertaining to different subjects under the Union List or Concurrent List of the Constitution, as applicable to Jammu and Kashmir.
Here I would like to mention the Collection of Statistics Act 1953. The 1953 Act was enacted to facilitate the collection of statistics of certain kinds relating to industry, trade and commerce, which was later extended to cover all kinds of statistics, not only relating to industry, but also households, individuals and local governments. The Act was later replaced by the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008. I want to state that the Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill would extend to the State of Jammu and Kashmir in terms of collection of data on economic, demographic, social, scientific and environmental aspects, covering the statistical subjects specified in List-1 of Union List which were covered neither in the Collection of Statistics Act 2008 nor the Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act 2010 passed by the State Legislature.
Since the 2008 Act did not apply to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the present amendment Bill seeks to fill the legislative vacuum by extending the ambit of this Bill to the whole of India. Moreover, the concurrent jurisdiction to be exercised by the Centre in Jammu and Kashmir had also not been provided for in the Collection of Statistics Act 2008. The 2008 Act granted all States and Central Ministries and Departments as well as Panchayats and municipalities the authority to collect statistics on economic, demographic, social, scientific and environmental aspects through statistical surveys by issuance of a gazette notification. However, this excluded collection of statistics relating to matters of the census, the Survey of India and anything appearing in the Seventh Schedule. This amendment Bill hopes to rectify that which is a positive outcome.
Sir, under this Bill, the Central Government or a State Government or a Union Territory administration shall designate one of its officers as a nodal officer for the purpose of supervision of activities related to collection of statistics. The Bill enables such officer to seek such information through telefax, telephone, email, or any other electronic form, thereby bringing information collected through modern techniques under the purview of the Bill. The officer would have the right to approach any informant for collection of data and also to access any relevant document in a person’s possession.
One positive aspect I would like to appreciate is that the Bill provides security for such information being used only for statistical purposes and no such information provided can be used as evidence for prosecution. Thank you.
DR. A. SAMPATH (ATTINGAL): Thank you, Deputy-Speaker Sir. I would like to support the Bill. Prima facie, this Bill is very innocent, just as we see the smiling face of Shri Sadananda Gowda but through you I would like to get certain clarifications from the hon. Minister.
The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017 has, as I understand, one part connected with the States of India; and the other part is for Jammu and Kashmir. I have no difference of opinion regarding the Statement of Objects and Reasons but I would like to get certain clarifications from him. In the first paragraph itself it says:
“The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 (7 of 2009) was enacted to facilitate collection of statistics on economic, demographic, social, scientific and environment aspects by the Ministries or Departments at the Centre or the States or Union territories or by local Governments.” The Financial Memorandum says:
“Clause 4 of the Bill empowers the Central Government or a State Government or Union territory administration to designate one of its officers as a nodal officer.” In the Memorandum Regarding Delegated Legislation, para 1 says:
“Clause 4 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules on powers and duties of a nodal officer, who may be designated to coordinate and supervise such statistical activities in the Central Government or a State Government or Union territory Administration.” Here, the rules are made by the Union Government. The officer may be either an officer of a Union Territory or a State or of the Government of India. I pray no such occurrence happens but since here it says, ‘the officer may be’, we have discuss and find some via media to sort this out because we believe in co-operative federalism. There should be no conflict between the Government of India and the Governments in the various States.
In many States, there are no rules. If we are enacting this, many rules are to be made by the State Governments concerned. In many States there are no rules because many of the State Governments I understand – if I am wrong I would be happy to be corrected – have no statute by the State Legislature. What are the powers? Who is going to monitor them?
Coming to the Statistical Academy, the Minister knows very well that with the help of the Government of India various State Governments were requested to start their statistical academies. One statistical academy was given to the State of Kerala and fortunately it was proposed to be started in my constituency. I hope that it would be started. I believe that it would not be snatched away by somebody else from among my colleagues.
Regarding the funding pattern, the project that was in existence under the funding pattern during 2011-12 has to continue. That funding pattern has to continue. The name of the project was India Statistical Strengthening Project. What is its present condition?
Regarding agricultural statistics, here many of the newspapers have covered the issue. This Bill was tabled in the House but it took quite a long time where quite a lot of other Bills came in between and this was put just like a train which was coming late. The hon. Minister was earlier in charge of Railways. He was the Union Minister of Railways and we were constantly banging at his door with quite a lot of memorandums. Just like that, we were also waiting. … (Interruptions)
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Please conclude now. We have to pass the Bill.
… (Interruptions)
DR. A. SAMPATH: We can pass the Bill. I am not opposing it. I am only supplementing something for the sake of the House. Very few Members are here; most of them have already left for the constituencies. You and I and only some more hon. Members are here. … (Interruptions)
Regarding the Aadhar card, I think the hon. Supreme Court made a ruling and said that the Government can make Aadhar mandatory for opening bank accounts but not for availing benefits. For Centrally-sponsored schemes and other beneficial schemes, data is necessary. One newspaper has stated it and thousands and thousands of complaints are pouring in, not only for us but to the Ministers also.
In one case, against the column ‘sex’ male was entered for a female. In such a case the Aadhaar becomes futile. In another case, it has been reported in various media reports, I am not quoting all the reports, a person who is above the age of 65 years, is shown as 36 years old in his Aadhaar Card. How can he avail of the benefits available to a senior citizen? Questions have been asked as to how reliable are India’s official statistics. I can give you one example, only with your permission, Sir.
In 1981-91 and 1991-2000 Nagaland Census, officially it was declared that the State population grew by 56.09 per cent and 64.53 per cent respectively. Subsequently, in 2011 Nagaland’s population shrunk by 0.47 per cent. If we have to depend on the official statistics, the Government should come clean with the socio-economic data of 2011 Census. What about the Caste Census which was conducted? In a nation where we are all bound to know what is happening, we are in oblivion of the 2011 Census. The Members of Parliament do not know anything about it. What was the Caste Census six years back has not been revealed even in this House! Similar is the case with regard to Below Poverty Line figure. I genuinely believe that these things are for the benefit and welfare of the people. You also know, in our college days… (Interruptions)
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You come to the point.
DR. A. SAMPATH: Yes, Sir.
I believe you will not term it as unparliamentary, ‘lie’ statistics. Our statistics should be reliable. Estimates with regard to poverty lines by various agencies differ but the poverty remains. I would like to talk about the universal basic income. Through you, Sir, I would like to know from the hon. Minister that when we are heading towards a welfare State why can we not wholeheartedly make legislation for a universal basic income.
I would like to know whether the below poverty line statistics is arrived on the basis of the income of the family, per capita income, per-capita consumption or calorie consumption per person per day. It differs… (Interruptions)
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: This can be discussed in other forum.
DR. A. SAMPATH: There have been disagreements between the statisticians in urban areas and rural areas. I have two more points before concluding.
How many Indians are working abroad? In this august House we have today discussed a similar matter. Cutting across Party lines - BJP, Congress, TRS, TDP, AIADMK, CPI (M) or Independent Members - our heart was with that man, our brother.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are diverting the whole issue. You are not speaking on the issue.
DR. A. SAMPATH: I am going to conclude now.
With regard to the Pravasi Suraksha Yojana, I would like to know why the Government has decided to stop that welfare scheme. It was the only welfare scheme where the immigration clearance was required. The poor people who have not… (Interruptions)
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are diverting the whole issue. You are not speaking on the subject.
… (Interruptions)
DR. A. SAMPATH: From your State, Tamil Nadu, the maximum numbers of people are now going abroad. Immigration clearance is required for them.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are raising a number of issues which are not related to this Ministry.
DR. A. SAMPATH: My humble request to the Minister is that we have to render justice to the people living not only in India but also to Indians working abroad to earn their livelihood.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is this? We are discussing statistics and you are talking about so many welfare schemes. You are diverting. When we will discuss those departments then you can speak on that. Please wind up.
DR. A. SAMPATH: During the presence of the hon. Minister, I have said these things in this august House.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: There would be so many occasions. For another two years, you are going to be a Member of Parliament. Why are you worrying? Please wind up.
DR. A. SAMPATH: This is a clear-cut legislation and I support it. But, at the same time, I have to put my points to you.
SHRI G. HARI (ARAKKONAM): Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Collection of Statistics Bill, 2017 seeks to amend the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008. The 2008 Act facilitates the collection of statistics related to social, economic, demographic, scientific and environmental aspects by Central, States and Local Governments. It allows the appointment of statistics officers to collect information and contain provisions to ensure security of information.
The Bill is to extend the jurisdiction of the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 to Jammu & Kashmir on statistics relevant to any matters under any of the entries specified in the List-I and the List-III in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. The Amendment will strengthen data collection mechanism in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The Amendment will provide for extending the jurisdiction of the Act to Jammu & Kashmir State in respect of matters not reserved for the State as per the Constitution Order, 1954 and for appointing a nodal officer at the Centre and in each State and Union Territory to effectively coordinate data collection activities and provide consultation to Government Departments for avoiding unnecessary duplication, etc. Sir, I would like to suggest to the Union Government to incorporate a provision into the proposed Bill. There should be a time-frame for furnishing data or statistics and it has to be made binding on all because the current status of statistics of some departments with regard to adequacy, timeliness and reliability are far from satisfactory.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sir, timely availability of statistics is the essence of the efficiency of national statistical system. Statistics with a long time gap or with faulty data or with backlogs may not be of much use for policy making. It will deter the proper implementation of the schemes. The efforts to improve agricultural, industrial and other statistics at the ground level will have to be quick and precise. Only then impact of statistical data on national level would produce desired and proper result. This will help to improve the quality of life of people for broad-based social transformation in development. The 2008 Act is not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. The Bill seeks to extend its jurisdiction to Jammu and Kashmir for the collection of statistics pertaining to subjects under the Union or the Concurrent list of the Constitution. India is a vast country with "unity in diversity" character. The statistics and compilation of data on multi-varied subjects are absolutely essential for formulating policies and schemes. Therefore the appropriate and accurate collection of data cannot be taken lightly.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Bill provides for the appointment of a nodal officer by the Central or State Governments. The nodal officer will coordinate and supervise statistical activities under the government by whom he is appointed. The regional diversity and special characteristics should be incorporated as data before devising policies and schemes. The 2008 Act provides that the information collected under it can only be used for statistical purposes. The Bill removes this provision. It allows the Central Government to determine the manner in which such information collected will be used, for statistical purposes. Thank you, Deputy Speaker, Sir.
SHRI VARAPRASAD RAO VELAGAPALLI (TIRUPATI): Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sir, unfortunately we give very least priority to Statistics. The adage goes, ‘lies, damn lies and statistics.’ Nevertheless, we consider statistics extremely important for many welfare things. I can say that statistics are very important. Therefore, its streamlining and strengthening are extremely essential for a welfare country like ours. At present, its coverage is extremely limited. It could be made more comprehensive. For example, recently when the GDP and GNP survey was done, many people were raising questions about the veracity of the GDP - whether it is true or otherwise. It means, we are following the same system of computation of GDP that had been followed some decades back like going for the bills of telephones and all that. It means that the computation is extremely outdated. Therefore, I would request the hon. Minister to give a thought to that and make it more up-to-date.
I know that this legislation is filling up a big vacuum in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the Concurrent List for which I congratulate the hon. Minister. The Nodal Officer is extremely essential both for the States as well as the Centre because it will avoid duplication and provide authenticity. Therefore, that has to be made compulsory in all the States.
Presently, as I was telling, the collection of statistics is only for limited purposes. But more important things are there to be covered and I would request the hon. Minister to do that. The sphere of statistics may be spread. For example, as far as statistics for the undertrials who are in jails is concerned, we do not have any authenticity. Similarly, statistics on what kind of people and communities are being given death penalty and all that is not available. Therefore, the sphere of statistics has to be made a little wider so that welfare measures and proper measures could be taken for giving justice to all the people.
Similarly, legal aid is available but we are not able to say that to whom it is going and all that. All these are very important things. So, I would request the hon. Minister to kindly make it wider and comprehensive. It should be streamlined. Take for example banks. No one knows where actually the loans are going, to what extent, it is going; which communities are taking loans; which States are taking them, etc. It is the wealth of the States. So, unless the statistics are made comprehensive, no one knows who is enjoying the wealth of the State. Therefore, I would request the hon. Minister to kindly make it more comprehensive so that the welfare schemes could be better implemented and the governance could also be improved as far as our country is concerned.
Lastly, we need adequate balancing between privacy and transparency when we take up the statistics, particularly with regard to Aadhaar and all that. There is a lot of confusion. Kindly ensure a proper thought is given when such information is shared, particularly when foreign agencies, foreign countries and foreign investment institutions are involved. I am sure adequate steps would be taken.
As regards frequency of computation of statistics with regard to unemployment and agriculture is concerned, we are doing it once in five years or so. It is extremely unfair. As far as unemployment statistics are concerned, we need to collect them every year. Similarly, for agriculture also, the frequency should be increased to every year so that whatever is to be done for the welfare of this sector could be done in a better way. The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing. Unless the statistics are provided adequately, the gap between the rich and the poor cannot be bridged. The same is true in the case of urban poor.
With these few points, I thank, once again, the Chair and the hon. Minister.
श्री विद्युत वरन महतो (जमशेदपुर):उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, आपने मुझे अत्यंत ही महत्वपूर्ण ‘सांख्यिकीय संग्रहण (संशोधन) विधेयक, 2017’ पर बोलने का मौका दिया, इसके लिए मैं आपको धन्यवाद देता हूं।
महोदय, इस विधेयक का पहला संशोधन, सांख्यिकीय संग्रहण अधिनियम, 2008 का विस्तार जम्मू-कश्मीर राज्य तक करना, जहां तक यह उस राज्य में लागू संविधान की सातवीं अनुसूची की सूची (संघ सूची) या सूची - 3 (समवर्ती सूची) में विनिर्दिष्ट किन्हीं प्रविष्टियों के अधीन आने वाले किसी विषय से संबंधित किसी सांख्यिकीय सर्वेक्षण से संबंधित है।
दूसरा संशोधन, केन्द्रीय सरकार और प्रत्येक राज्य सरकार के सांख्यिकीय क्रियाकलापों के समन्वय और पर्यवेक्षण के लिए ऐसी अन्य शक्तियों का प्रयोग तथा ऐसे अन्य कर्तव्यों का पालन करने के लिए, जो नियमों द्वारा बनाए गए, अपने अधिकारियों में से किसी एक को नोडल अधिकारी के रूप में अभिहित करना है। यह विधेयक पूर्वोक्त उद्देश्यों की प्राप्ति के लिए है।
सभापति महोदय, भारत में आंकड़े एकत्र करने, कारगर प्रशासन तथा कल्याणकारी कार्यक्रमों के लिए विभिन्न प्रकार के आंकड़ों के उपयोग की एक बहुत पुरानी और मजबूत परम्परा रही है। कौटिल्य के अर्थशास्त्र (321‑296 बीसी) के जनसंख्या ऑकलन के प्रणाली तथा गांवों और शहरों में कृषि, जनसंख्या तथा अन्य आर्थिक कार्यकलापों से संबंधित आंकड़ों के संग्रहण के संकेत मिलते हैं। साथ ही, अबुल फज़ल की आइने अकबरी में भी इस बात के सबूत मिले हैं कि मुगल काल में आंकड़ों का संग्रहण तथा इनका अनुप्रयोग काफी प्रचलित था। ब्रिटिश शासन ने, समय‑समय पर गठिन विभिन्न समितियों/आयोगों की सिफारिशों के आधार पर देश में एक मजबूत सांख्यिकी प्रणाली की नींव रखी थी।
इसमें जम्मू‑कश्मीर राज्य लागू नहीं था। सांख्यिकी संग्रहण अधिनियम, 2008 के कार्यान्वयन में बाधाएं थी। 11 जून, 2010 को सांख्यिकी संग्रहण अधिनियम, 2008 के लागू होने के बाद से, 3 वर्ष से ज्यादा का समय बीत चुका है, लेकिन इस अधिनियम के तहत अभी भी संबंधित मंत्रालयों/विभागों द्वारा आंकड़ों के संग्रहण के लिए बहुत ज्यादा सांख्यिकी कार्यकलाप नहीं किए जा रहे हैं । कुछ मंत्रालयों ने इसके महत्व को अवश्य महसूस किया है और उन्होंने इस इरादे से सांख्यिकी और कार्यक्रम कार्यान्वयन मंत्रालय से सम्पर्क किया है। लेकिन, किसी न किसी कारण से उन्होंने अपने सांख्यिकी कार्यकलापों में इस अधिनियम के प्रावधानों को लागू नहीं किया है। इस अधिनियम के उपयोग में बाधा साबित होने वाले कुछ प्रमुख कारणों पर प्रकाश डाला गया है; सांख्यिकी संग्रहण अधिनियम, 2008 के प्रावधानों के बारे में जानकारी की कमी और गलतफहमी है। हालांकि अपने‑अपने केन्द्रीय मंत्रालयों/विभागों में सांख्यिकी कार्यकलापों के संचालन से संबंधित अधिकारी कुल मिलाकर सांख्यिकी संग्रहण अधिनियम, 2008 के बारे में जानते हैं, लेकिन उन्हें इस अधिनियम के विभिन्न प्रावधानों और सांख्यिकी कार्यकलापों के संचालन तथा जुटाई गई सांख्यिकी की गुणवत्ता में सुधार लाने की इनकी क्षमता के बारे में पर्याप्त जानकारी नहीं है। इसकी वजह से कई मंत्रालय और विभाग आंकड़ा संग्रहण की मौजूदा प्रणाली को ही ज्यादा सहज मानते हैं और इसी का अनुकरण करके आंकड़े एकत्र कर रहे हैं। यह देखा गया है कि जागरूकता की कमी के कारण, कुछ राज्यों ने सांख्यिकी संग्रहण अधिनियम, 2008 की धारा 4 तथा सांख्यिकी संग्रहण नियमावली, 2011 के नियम 7 के तहत सामान्य आदेश जारी किए और इसके माध्यम से उनके द्वारा किए जाने वाले सांख्यिकी कार्यकलापों के लिए सांख्यिकी अधिकारी नियुक्त किए गए, लेकिन इस अधिनियम की धारा 3 के तहत जैसा अपेक्षित है, इन आंकड़ों के संग्रहण के लिए अनिवार्य निर्देश भी जारी नहीं किए गए हैं। इस अधिनियम में स्पष्ट रूप से कहा गया है कि किसी विशिष्ट विषय के बारे में आंकड़े एकत्र करने के बारे में अधिनियम की धारा 3 के तहत निर्देश जारी करने के बाद ही, इस अधिनियम के प्रावधान के विषय में आंकड़ा संग्रहण के लिए लागू होंगे और केवल उन आंकड़ों को एकत्र करने के लिए ही तत्संबंधी धारा के तहत सांख्यिकी अधिकारी नियुक्त किया जा सकता है।
महोदय, झारखंड के कोडरमा में डाटा एकत्र करने के लिए एक ऑफिस था, जिसे पिछले दिनों कोलकाता शिफ्ट कर दिया गया। इसके बाद यहां पर कई प्रकार की समस्याएं उत्पन्न हो गई हैं। पहले यहां पर दो हजार के करीब स्टॉफ थे, आज वहां पर मुश्किल से 25 ही स्टॉफ हैं।
मैं आपके माध्यम से माननीय मंत्री जी से आग्रह करता हूं कि इस ऑफिस को दोबारा कोलकाता से झारखंड में लाया जाए, ताकि यहां पर डाटा से संबंधित जो भी असुविधाएं हैं, उनका डाटा कलेक्ट करके समाधान किया जाए। आपने मुझे इस बिल पर बोलने का मौका दिया है, इसलिए मैं आपका बहुत‑बहुत धन्यवाद करता हूं।
श्री कौशलेन्द्र कुमार (नालंदा) : उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, आपने मुझे सांख्यिकीय संग्रहण (संशोधन) विधेयक, 2017 पर होने वाली चर्चा में बोलने की अनुमति दिया है, इसलिए मैं आपका बहुत‑बहुत धन्यवाद करता हूं।
सरकारी राष्ट्रीय सांख्यिकी संग्रहण अधिनियम, 2008 में संशोधन के पश्चात अब सरकार जम्मू‑कश्मीर राज्य में भी सामाजिक, आर्थिक, भौगोलिक, जनसंख्यकीय, वैज्ञानिक और पर्यावरणीय पहलुओं से संबंधित डाटा/आंकड़ा को संग्रह करने में सशक्त होगी। वैसे भी सरकार के पास सभी प्रकार के डाटा एवं आंकड़े मौजूद हैं, किन्तु उसका उपयोग कहां हो रहा है? आंकड़े सिर्फ एकत्रित होकर फाइलों में ही रह जाते हैं। वर्ष 2008 के अधिनियम के तहत इन सभी आंकड़ों की जानकारी का इस्तेमाल केवल सांख्यिकीय परियोजनाओं के लिए किया जा सकता है, किन्तु इस विधेयक से सरकार उक्त प्रावधान को हटा रही है, जो नुकसानदेह साबित हो सकता है। आज पूरे देश में आंकड़ों एवं डाटा की सुरक्षा तथा किसी भी व्यक्ति की गोपनीयता का उजागर होने पर बहस चल रही है। यह सही है कि इस प्रकार के सभी डाटा किसी के हाथ में जाने पर उसका नुकसान होगा, डाटा का दुरूपयोग होगा। आज आधार कार्ड के डाटा के बारे में भी यही आशंका की जा रही है, क्योंकि सरकार के पास डाटा का संग्रहण करने के लिए कोई अच्छी व्यवस्था नहीं है। उसका दुरूपयोग रोकने के लिए भी कड़े कानून का प्रावधान नहीं है। सरकार को पहले इस प्रकार की विधि लानी चाहिए, जिससे यह सुनिश्चित हो कि सरकार द्वारा एकत्रित का डेटा का कोई दुरूपयोग नहीं हो और व्यक्ति की गोपनीयता का हनन न हो, यह हमारा मौलिक अधिकार है।
धन्यवाद।
श्रीमती अंजू बाला (मिश्रिख) : उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, आपने मुझे सांख्यिकीय संग्रहण संशोधन बिल, 2017 पर बोलने का मौका दिया, इसके लिए मैं आपको धन्यवाद देती हूं। मैं मंत्री जी का आभार प्रकट करती हूं। यह वर्ष 2008 में हो जाना चाहिए था। इस बिल को आज लाने की जरूरत हमें क्यों पड़ी? विपक्ष के लोग इस बारे में बात तो कर रहे हैं, लेकिन मैं जानना चाहती हूं कि इस बिल पर जिस पर आज हम बात कर रहे हैं, उस संशोधान को आज लाने की जरूरत क्यों पड़ी?
मैं खुद जम्मू-कश्मीर की, डिस्ट्रिक्ट कठुआ की रहने वाली हूं। यह बात आज जेहन में आ रही है। हम आंकड़ों की बात करते हैं, जो पूरे हिंदुस्तान पर लागू होता है। अभी हाल ही जीएसटी पास हुआ। यह पूरे हिंदुस्तान में यह लागू होगा, लेकिन जम्मू-कश्मीर उससे वंचित रहेगा। 2011 की जनगणना के आधार पर, जब जनगणना होती है, तो अलग-अलग सब अपने आंकड़े पेश करते हैं, लेकिन जम्मू-कश्मीर की सरकार तय करेगी, तब आगे जाकर, उनके कहने पर जैसे वे बतायेंगे, तब हम आगे उसकी बात करेंगे। पंडित जवाहर लाल नेहरू जी ने उस समय अगर यह रियासत सरदार वल्लभ भाई पटेल जी को दे दी होती, जिन्होंने पूरी 565 रियासतें जोड़ीं और एक माला की तरह उसे पिरोकर रख दिया, पूरा हिंदुस्तान एक कर दिया। अगर उसी समय जम्मू-कश्मीर भी उनको दे दिया होता, तो यह अकेला, अलग-थलग नहीं रहता। आज कोई भी कार्य करने से पहले सोचते हैं कि वह जम्मू-कश्मीर पर लागू हो या नहीं होगा।
मैं आज इस बिल का समर्थन करने के लिए यहां खड़ी हुई हूं। क्योंकि मैं खुद जम्मू-कश्मीर की हूं, इसलिए मैंने सोचा है कि इसमें दो शब्द जरूर कहूंगी। मैं यह जरूर कहूंगी कि “कुछ नशा भारत माता की आन का है, कुछ नशा तिरंगे की शान का है, किसी भी हाल में जीतनी है हमें यह जंग, क्योंकि सवाल राष्ट्रीय स्वाभिमान का है।” मैं इस बिल का पुनः समर्थन करती हूं और बधाई देती हूं कि आप जम्मू-कश्मीर के हित के लिए यह कार्य लाए हैं, मैं पहले भी बोल चुकी हूं, जो रिफ्यूजी भाई हैं, चाहे वे ओबीसीज हैं या चाहे एससीज हैं, किसी को भी हमारी चलने वाली योजना का बेनेफिट नहीं मिलता है, लेकिन इस बिल के आ जाने से सभी को उसका फायदा मिलेगा।
मैं एक बार फिर इस बिल का समर्थन करते हुए अपनी बात को समाप्त करती हूं, जयहिंद, जयभारत।
SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI (HYDERABAD): Sir, may I remind the hon. Minister, through you, what was stated by Shri Gulzarilal Nanda, the then Union Home Minister in Lok Sabha on the 4th December, 1964? He has said:
“The only way of taking the Constitution of India into J&K is through application of article 370. It is a tunnel. It is through this tunnel that a good deal of traffic has already passed and more will.
What happened is that, only the shell is there. Article 370, whether you keep it or not has been completely emptied of its contents and nothing has been left in it.” Sir, we have seen what has happened in J&K. It is historical fact that J&K acceded to India in unique circumstances. It is a unique State. My charge against this Government is that you are creating trouble in J&K by ensuring that this Bill which you are going to pass with brute majority, by imposing and having it implemented in J&K. You are violating article 370. What is the result of what Shri Gulzarilal Nanda said in 1964? What is the result that we have got now? The polling percentage is six. What is the face we have now? It is seven per cent of the polling percentage that we get in a by-election and then we are forced to postpone the election. The Government is badly exposed by saying that we did not want the Election Commission to hold the elections. Why do you want to do this? You are in power over there.
The J&K State Assembly can pass its own Statistics (Amendment) Bill. They have done the Right to Education Bill and other legislation. Why is this Government in a hurry? By doing this you are weakening article 370. We know for a fact that legislative power of Parliament, as far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, is limited to foreign affairs, defence and telecommunication. Whenever we have gone to Jammu and Kashmir as part of an all-Party delegation, the first thing people tell us – last time I was part of the all-Party meeting – is that you have diluted and eroded article 370. You are doing the same thing. What is the legal basis of this? Why are you unnecessarily testing waters over there? There is so much of alienation over there. Passing this Bill can give you sadistic pleasure. But will you be successful in Jammu and Kashmir? I doubt that.
Coming to other issues, look at the utilisation of budget by his own Ministry. It is minus 32.4 per cent. During 2016-17, Rs. 4,753 crore was the allocation. Actual expenditure is only Rs. 3,212 crore. Will the Minister please tell us and enlighten us as to why could not his Ministry utilise this whole amount?
Let me come to the issue of National Sample Survey office. Since they engage contractual staff to collect data through field surveys, there is a huge variation between the survey of NSSO and that of the State Governments. So, I would like to ask the hon. Minister, through you, whether this Ministry will hold consultations with the State Governments regarding survey procedures and methodologies.
As far as vacancies are concerned, 861 posts of Statistical Officers under Subordinate Statistical Services are vacant. Why are they vacant? It is because the pay is very bad. It is because of the difficult nature of data collection work that many candidates are not inclined to join because of mismatch of language and staff. So, will this Government recommend incentives to provide better conditions?
In the North-East, there is no regional office of this Ministry in the North-Eastern States. The allocation for North-East area was Rs. 16.8 crore. This shows a decrease of 44 per cent.
Our ex-Indian captain’s Aadhaar number was made public. What safeguards are you going to have? Now, you are collecting data which the Government will use. What assurance can you give to the country and to us that there will be some firewalls and that no one can break into that data and take it away?
As rightly said by Shri Tathagata Satpathy, data is the new oil. Every data is open to public. You go to Google and you can get my Aadhaar number. Now, you are getting the NSSO data. There is so much of data over there. What protections are there? This is a digital era for sure. But we are failing in protecting our data. Thank you.
श्री थुपस्तान छेवांग (लद्दाख) : उपाध्यक्ष महोदय, मैं आपका आभार प्रकट करता हूं कि आपने मुझे इस महत्वपूर्ण अमैंडमैंट बिल पर बोलने का अवसर दिया। मैं अपनी पार्टी का भी आभारी हूं कि मुझे पहली बार किसी बिल पर बोलने का अवसर दिया गया। वक्त की पाबंदी है, इसलिए मैं एक ही पक्ष जम्मू-कश्मीर पर अपना वक्तव्य रखना चाहूंगा, क्योंकि मैं जम्मू -कश्मीर से आता हूं। यहां जितने भी वक्ताओं ने अपनी बात रखी, उन्होंने एक ऐसा संदेश देने की कोशिश की कि पूरे स्टैटस्टिक्स कनैक्शन बिल को जम्मू-कश्मीर में लागू करने जा रहे हैं, जबकि यह बिल्कुल निराधार है, ऐसा कतई नहीं है। वर्ष 2008 में इस सदन ने स्टैटस्टिक्स एक्ट पास किया। चूंकि यह जम्मू-कश्मीर में लागू नहीं होता, जम्मू-कश्मीर का विशेष स्थान है, इसलिए जम्मू-कश्मीर लेजिस्लेटिव असैम्बली ने वर्ष 2010 में अपना एक्ट पास किया जो इसी का रैप्लिका है। यहां जो संशय बनाने की कोशिश हो रही है कि पूरा स्टैटस्टिक्स एक्ट जम्मू-कश्मीर में लागू करने की बात है, यह बिल्कुल नहीं है।
In the Statement of Objects and Reasons it is said that the Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010 enacted by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature extends to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. In paragraph 3, it says that the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 and the Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010, do not cover the matters specified in List 1, that is the Union List, in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution as applicable to Jammu and Kashmir under the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954.
The Central law is not applicable to matters specified in List III (Concurrent List) as applicable to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Thus, there is a legislative vacuum in respect of the statistical matters in the Union List or Concurrent List applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. उस लेजिस्लेटिव वैक्यूम को हटाने के लिए इस अमेंडमेंट को लाया गया है। अभी मेरे साथी ओवैसी जी कह रहे थे, आर्टिकल 370 को विड आऊट करने की बात कर रहे थे, कि यह उसकी तरफ एक कदम है। जम्मू-कश्मीर के समाचार पत्रों यह छप रहा है, तरह-तरह के स्टेटमेंट दिए जा रहे हैं कि 370 को डायलूट कर रहे है, इस बिल को प्रस्तुत करने के बाद ऐसी चर्चाएं हो रही हैं जोकि बिल्कुल ही निराधार है।
हम जानते हैं कि जो एक्ट यहां पास होता है, वह जम्मू-कश्मीर में लागू नहीं होता है। कुछ ऐसे विषय हैं, जैसे डिफेंस, एक्सटर्नल अफेयर्स, उस विषय पर जम्मू-कश्मीर की असेंबली में भी कानून नहीं बना सकती। जो दो कानून बने हैं, एक स्टेट का कानून है और एक केन्द्र का कानून है, उसमें कुछ ऐसे विषय हैं जो छूट गए हैं, इसलिए उस लेजिस्लेटिव वैक्यूम को खत्म करने के लिए उन विषयों पर जहां राज्य सरकार कानून नहीं बना सकती क्योंकि जम्मू कश्मीर में सेंट्रल एक्ट लागू नहीं है। उनका अपना एक्ट लागू होता है। जम्मू-कश्मीर की असेंबली को स्टेटिक्स इकट्ठा करने का अधिकार नहीं है और सेंटर वहां एक्सटेंड नहीं कर सकता है, इसलिए वह छूट गया है इसलिए उस लेजिस्लेटिव वैक्यूम को खत्म करने के लिए इस बिल को लाया गया है।
जहां तक मेरी समझ है, वह यही है। जब मंत्री जी उत्तर देंगे तो इसका पूरी तरह से निराकरण करेंगे। अभी जम्मू-कश्मीर का जिक्र हुआ, मेरे साथी जुगल किशोर जी, जो जम्मू से सांसद हैं, उन्होंने बताया कि जम्मू-कश्मीर एक विशेष स्थान रखता है, जम्मू-कश्मीर स्पेशल कैटिगरी स्टेट में आता है, जिसकी वजह से वहां के लिए जो भी फंड मुहैया कराई जाती है, वह 90-10 के रेशियो में मुहैया कराई जाती है, केन्द्र से फंड जाता है। कोई भी फंड जम्मू-कश्मीर से नहीं आता है। क्या यही वजह है कि जम्मू-कश्मीर आज आर्थिक दृष्टि से पिछड़ा हुआ है। जम्मू के सांसद जुगल किशोर जी ने कहा, जम्मू-कश्मीर में जो हालत बना हुआ है, जम्मू-कश्मीर को एक विशेष स्टेटस दिया गया है, वहां अलग से एक संविधान है, वहां एक अलग व्यवस्था कायम की गई है जो जम्मू-कश्मीर के तीन क्षेत्रों में से सिर्फ एक क्षेत्र की समस्या को एड्रेस करती है। यही कारण है कि पिछले कई दशकों से पाकिस्तान की शह पर जम्मू-कश्मीर की हालत में सुधार नहीं हो पा रहा है। इसके बावजूद सेंटर की तरफ से पूरी मदद दी जा रही है, तब भी हालत नहीं सुधर रही है।
जम्मू-कश्मीर के दो हिस्से हैं, लद्दाख और जम्मू, आप सुन लीजिए। जम्मू-लद्दाख में किसी तरह की हिंसा नहीं है, वहां टेररिज्म नहीं है, वहां आर्थिक दृष्टि से उन्नति हो सकती है, क्यों नहीं उन्नति हो रही है? सिर्फ इसी करण से नहीं हो रही है कि जम्मू-कश्मीर के लिए जो व्यवस्था बनी है वह सिर्फ वादिये कश्मीर को एड्रेस करती है। लद्दाख की समस्या को एड्रेस नहीं करती है, जम्मू को एड्रेस नहीं करती है।
मैं इस बिल के माध्यम से साथी सांसद को कहना चाहता हूं कि क्या कारण है कि संसद जो पूरे भारत को रिप्रेजेंट करता है, यहां का कानून जम्मू-कश्मीर में लागू न हो। अब वक्त आ गया है कि आर्टिकल 370 को हटाना चाहिए। जम्मू-कश्मीर से सिर्फ कश्मीर वादी की मुराद नहीं है। अगर आप एरिया की दृष्टि से देखें या जनसंख्या की दृष्टि से देखें, जम्मू और लद्दाख को मिला लें तो यह कई गुणा है। आज जिस तरह की व्यवस्था जम्मू-कश्मीर में चल रही है, इसकी वजह से जम्मू और लद्दाख के लोगों को सेंकड क्लास सिटीजन का ट्रीटमेंट मिलता है। फंड के आबंटन में भी यही होता है। पॉलिटिकल रिप्रेंजेंटेशन में भी उन्हें इग्नोर किया जाता है। यही कारण है कि हम लद्दाख के लोग यूनियन टेरिटरी की मांग करते हैं, हम जम्मू-कश्मीर का हिस्सा नहीं रहना चाहते हैं। जम्मू में अलग स्टेट की बात हो रही है। अब वक्त आ गया है कि भारत सरकार इस पर सोचें, अगर जम्मू-कश्मीर को ठीक करना है, कश्मीर के लोग आजादी मांगते हैं। आप जैसे लोगों को समझना चाहिए, जिस तरह का ट्रीटमेंट जम्मू और लद्दाख को मिल रहा है, जम्मू-कश्मीर के अलगावादी हैं, जो भारत के खिलाफ नारे लगाते हैं, उकसाते हैं और पाकिस्तान की शह पर हिंसा करते हैं, उन्हें आप इज्जत देते हैं। उन्हें आप फाइव स्टार ट्रीटमैंट देते हैं, सुरक्षा देते हैं, लेकिन उसके बावजूद भी वे वहां भारत के खिलाफ बातें करते हैं। आप उन्हें इज्जत देते हैं, उनके इंटरेस्ट को सुरक्षा देते हैं। लद्दाख में रहने वाले जो राष्ट्रवादी लोग हैं, उनके इंटरेस्ट को दबाया जाता है। मैं पूछना चाहता हूं कि यह कब तक चलेगा?
मैं इस बिल के जरिये प्रार्थना करना चाहता हूं। ...(व्यवधान) स्पेशल पैकेज भी कश्मीर के लिए जाता है। वह जम्मू-लद्दाख में नहीं आता। रिक्रूटमैंट ड्राइव में भी आतंकवाद से जुड़े हुए नौजवानों को नौकरी दी जाती है। लद्दाख-जम्मू में काफी अनइम्प्लायमैंट है, लेकिन वहां के नौजवानों को इम्प्लायमैंट नहीं दिया जाता।
मान्यवर, मैं सदन को कहना चाहता हूं कि इस बारे में सोचा जाना चाहिए। भारत के संविधान में विशेष स्थान है और यहां का कानून वहां लागू नहीं होता, यह हम जानते हैं।
SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN (KOLLAM): I am thankful to you, hon. Deputy-Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to speak on this important Bill. I would confine myself to some of the very important aspects of the Bill.
After hearing the interventions of Shri Owaisi, a cloud of confusion has been created; and I hope that the hon. Minister will clarify or clear this cloud of confusion or suspicion. If you go through the para 3 of the Statement of Objects and Reasons, it says:
“The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 and the Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010, do not cover the matters specified in List I (Union List) in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution as applicable to Jammu and Kashmir under the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order,1954. ” So, the point to be clarified is this. According to the hon. Minister, this is to fill up the vacuum created due to the two Acts. The 2008 Act is the Central legislation by which matters, which are specified in the Union List and the Concurrent List, are not being dealt with. By the Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010 also, the matters specified in the Concurrent List and the matters specified in the Union List are not being dealt with.
So, according to the Government, this Bill is being piloted in order to fill up the vacuum because these two Acts are not dealing with the matters. So, the pertinent question, which has been raised by the hon. Member, Shri Owaisi is that article 370 is there, and this para also very clearly says: “The Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act do not cover the matters.” That means, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is having ample authority and power to legislate on matters specified in the Union List and Concurrent List related to Jammu and Kashmir… (Interruptions) That is why I am seeking clarification from the hon. Minister.
Sir, the explanation of the hon. Minister in the Statement of Objects and Reasons is that the Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010 does not cover the matters specified in the Union List and the Concurrent List. So, I am seeking clarification form the hon. Minister that if the Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly is having the authority and legislative competence to enact on these issues, then here it would definitely be the violation of article 370 of the Constitution, infringement of the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. This is a very important matter, which has been raised in this august House.
Sir, now I am on a different point. I am bringing a very pertinent fact to the notice of the House. If you go through the Objects and Reasons of the Bill, it says that it is to fill up the legislative vacuum. Here, I am bringing the attention of the hon. Deputy-Speaker to this matter. Section 9(1) is to be amended. What is Section 9(1)? It says that ‘any information furnished to the statistics officer or to any person or agencies authorized under this Act shall only be used for statistical purposes.’ Here, the Government proposes to amend Section 9(1). What is the substituting Section? The new Section is:
“The statistics officer or any person or agencies authorized under this Act shall, for statistical purposes, use any information furnished under section 6 in such matter as may be prescribed.” That means the existing Clause 9(1) is a mandatory provision by which this statistical information can only be used for the statistical purposes by the Ministries concerned or by the departments concerned. The Government of India is getting ample powers so as to use this information. It is because the Government of India will be making a provision. That means, rule making provision is with the Government of India so that they can use this information for some other purposes also. Kindly see, Sir, the words used are: “Any information furnished to the statistics officer or to any person or agencies authorised under this Act shall only be used for statistical purposes.” So, the Government wants to dilute it. What is the purpose of it?
A new Clause has to be added that is ‘the manner of use of information’ under Sub-Section (1) of ‘Section 9’. There also the power is vested with the Central Government to make the rules and make the procedure by which this mandatory provision is being diluted. It means, the transparency and accountability is under question. This can be done only after the publication in the Official Gazette. That is also being amended. Here, Section 33 is being amended. By amending Section 33 of the existing Act, it need not be published in the Official Gazette. Only a pre-publication is required. It can be done even in a newspaper or in a weekly. Even if it is published on a notice board, it is okay. A conditional publication is there. So, the Official Gazette publication is being omitted.
I would like to know from the hon. Minister as to what is the purpose of avoiding the Official Gazette publication. Is it for transparency? Is it for accountability? Only putting it on the notice board is sufficient to have the publication. Regarding the other issue of Section 9(1), why is it being amended? Is it just because to give more powers to the Central Government? I have also asked clarifications about the Constitution.
With these questions, I am concluding my speech. Thank you very much, Sir.
THE MINISTER OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION (SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA): Hon. Deputy Chairman, Sir, as rightly stated by Premachandran ji, this Bill is introduced to fill up the legislative vacuum. The Collection of the Statistics Act, 2008, as of now, has been extended to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, the Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010, as passed by Jammu and Kashmir, applies only to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. There are certain areas which are neither covered under the Concurrent List nor under the List-I. Therefore, there is a need of an Act to cover those areas.
There is another important question raised by Shri Owaisi: – Is it not a violation of Article 370 of the Constitution? I do not want to traverse in detail as far as Article 370 of the Constitution is concerned. If there is any area which is in the larger interest of the Centre and the State and which does not affect the individual rights of the citizens, certainly, the Central Government needs to encroach upon that area and do the needful things. This is not the only legislation which has been taking place. There are other enactments like the Census Act, 1948 which has been enacted in 1959, thereby, the areas of operation of that Act have been extended to Jammu; and Kashmir and the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 has been subsequently enacted. Similarly, this is also one of the important areas where plans, programmes, developments and other things need to be taken care of. The State of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of our country and the developments and other things of that area need to be taken care of by the Central Government. Under such circumstances, in the larger interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and getting a real-time data, this has been extended to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It will certainly not violate Article 370 of the Constitution as has been stated by my learned friend.
Sir, I will not take much of your time of time. Two or three important issues have been raised by the hon. Members. I thank all the Members who have participated in the debate on this Bill and for giving valuable suggestions, observations and raising certain concerns.
Two important issues have been raised. One issue raised was whether all the stakeholders have been taken on board, that is, whether the consultation process was done in a proper manner. The Bill at the initial stage was put in the public domain. For three months, we received suggestions. Subsequently, it was circulated among the Ministries and other Departments. After getting suggestions, we have once again circulated it to various Ministries.
Before we decided to introduce the Bill in the House, a Cabinet Note containing the amendment proposal was sent to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Had we received a reply from the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature, then this would not have arisen. No reply has come from the Legislature of Jammu and Kashmir. So, we are forced to do this.
One of the important issues that have been raised is with regard to amendment to Section 9 (1), that is, whether right to privacy is protected in respect of data collection. Almost all the Members who spoke on that issue referred to Aadhaar and they said all these things. I would like to place on record that the guidelines, that is, the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics of United Nations need to be followed as far as collection of data and other things are concerned. It is recognized that the official statistics are public goods and they must comply with certain basic principles such as professional independence, impartiality, accountability and transparency about methods of collection, compilation and dissemination of statistics. These principles are enshrined in the United Nations Fundamental Principles and after a Cabinet decision, we are following it. On that basis, we are taking up all these issues.
Another important issue that has been raised is with regard to how the secrecy will be maintained. I would like to draw the attention of the Members who took up that issue to the fact that there are stringent provisions on restriction given under the Act on data collection. In nutshell, I would like to draw the attention of the House to Section 9 (2) (3) and (4), Section 11 and Section 14 (a) and (b). Section 9 (2) says that no person other than a person engaged in the work of data collection shall be permitted to see any information collected. Section 9 (3) says that no information collected and no answer to any question asked shall, except for the purpose of a prosecution under the Act, be separately published or disclosed without suppressing the identification of data providers. Section 9 (4) says that all statistical data published shall be arranged in such a manner so as to prevent any particulars becoming identifiable as the particulars relating to a data provider who supplied it, even through the process of elimination unless the data provider has consented to the publication in that manner. Section 10 says that Appropriate Government may disclose data in respect of which such disclosure is consented to in writing by the data provider or data is otherwise available to the public under any Act as a public document or data in the form of an index or list of the names and addresses of data providers together with the classification, if any, allotted to them and the number of persons engaged.
Sir, there is one more important Section, that is Section 11. Section 11 says that the appropriate Government may disclose individual data for bona fide research or statistical purposes. Section 14 (a) says that no data obtained pursuant to the Act and no copy of the data in the possession of any data provider shall be disclosed or used as an evidence in any proceedings.
Sir, so many procedures are given. The rules made under the Act also provide adequate safeguards.
18.00 hours For example, rule 13 provides for restrictions on personal information. All this will stand. No amendment is proposed for all these sections, particularly from section 9 and also from other sections. Nobody should have any apprehension about protecting the confidentiality whether it is aadhaar card data or any other data which identify a person cannot disclose under this Act along with other data collections. So, these are the stringent provisions in the Act. For these sections, we have not brought any amendment. So, that still stands. So, there will be confidentiality.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Now, it is six ‘o’ clock. If the House agrees, we will extend the time of the House till the Minister’s reply and passing of the Bill are over.
SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL (ALAPPUZHA): How much time will he take Sir?
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Only two or three minutes more.
SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA: I will take five minutes.
Coming back to Shri Premachandran’s statement, that is amendment to Section 9(1), use of data for statistical purposes remains intact. The only change is to make an enabling provision to lay down the manner in which it has to be exercised through rules. Only through rules, it has to be done. This being a matter of technical detail it cannot be specified in the Act. As it is a matter in technical detail, it cannot be specified in the Act. Hence, this amendment has been brought. It does not give any arbitrary power to the Government.
A fundamental question was raised as to how the public would come to know about the decision of the Government to collect any statistics. Section 3 makes it clear. Section 3 of the Act provides for notifying the decision of the Government to collect any statistics in the official gazette.
There are several suggestions given by my hon. friends. Certainly, all the suggestions are well taken. A suggestion was made to incorporate the provision that there should be a timeframe for furnishing the data or statistics and it has to be made binding on all. Fixing a timeframe is a survey specific. It is a survey specific. It cannot be fixed that this survey should be completed within such a period. It may not be possible as data may be collected from individuals or business on different subjects and situations.
Section 5 of the Act provides for specifying such details by statistical officer. Section 4 of the Act lays down that the timeframe for data collection may be specified by appropriate Government or statistical officer.
There were suggestions about NSSO’s surveys also, particularly, periodicity. In particular, it was suggested that the survey on employment, unemployment may be more frequent. I would like to inform the august House that the NSSO has been conducting surveys on many subjects from time to time. Service sector is presently being surveyed by NSSO on its 74th round, that is 2016-17. Household consumer expenditure will be surveyed by NSSO on its 75th round, that is 2017-18. NSSO conducts surveys on agriculture acreage and yield in every agriculture season and provides data to the Ministry of Agriculture. Besides, it also conducts survey on situation assessment of farmers periodically. The suggestion to have more frequent data on employment and unemployment characteristic is a welcome suggestion. I am proud to inform this august House that the Government has decided to launch periodic labour survey in 2017-18 to measure the employment and unemployment characteristics at every quarter and annually. So, we will have quarterly employment data as soon as the survey methodology stabilizes. This Bill will facilitate that the Government in organizing data collection under the provisions of the principal Act throughout the country including Jammu and Kashmir. It will also strengthen data collections.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not want to take much time of the House. Today, we all know that the statistical thinking has become indispensable for all efficient planning and administration. At the national level, NSSO of my ministry is responsible for the conduct of large scale sample survey in diverse fields. In States, at the apex level, the Directorate of Economics and Statistics is responsible for coordination of statistical activities in the State as well as for liaising with the Centre.
There should be close coordination between the State and the Centre. It is necessary to get the real time data. At present, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the principal Act is applicable to all other States in the country in the collection of statistical data. Hence, the jurisdiction of the principal Act needs to be extended to the State of Jammu and Kashmir also. The Bill will facilitate the Government in organizing statutory data collection under the provisions of the principal Act throughout the country including the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Certainly, it will strengthen the data collection mechanism. So, I appeal to the hon. Members through you Sir, that the Bill may be considered and passed by this august House.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is:
“That the Bill to amend the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, be taken into consideration.” The motion was adopted.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The House will now take up clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill.
Clause 2 Amendment of Section 1 HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Shri N.K. Premachandran, are you moving your Amendment No.1 to clause 2?
SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN (KOLLAM): Sir, since the hon. Minister has given a convincing answer, I am not moving my amendment.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is: “That clause 2 stands part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted. Clause 2 was added to the Bill. Clauses 3 and 4 were added to the Bill. Clause 5 Amendment of Section 9 HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Shri Rajeev Shankarrao Satav – Not present. The question is: “That clause 5 stands part of the Bill.” The motion was adopted. Clause 5 was added to the Bill. Clause 6 was added to the Bill. Clause 1, the Enacting Formula and the Long Title were added to the Bill. HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The hon. Minister may now move that the Bill be passed. SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA: Sir, I beg to move: “That the Bill be passed.” HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is: “That the Bill be passed.” The motion was adopted.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The House stands adjourned to meet on Wednesday, the 12th April, 2017 at 11.00 a.m. 18.07 hours The Lok Sabha then adjourned till Eleven of the Clock on Wednesday, April 12, 2017/ Chaitra 22, 1939 (Saka) *ण्ड्ढ म्श्र्द अ र्ठ्ठद्धत्ड्ढड्ड ठ्ठडदृध्ड्ढ ण्ड्ढ दठ्ठर्ड्ढ दृढ ठ्ठ ग्ड्ढथ्र्डड्ढद्ध त्दड्डत्हठ्ठय्ड्ढद्म् ण्ठ्ठद्य् ण्ड्ढ र्द्वड्ढद्य्त्दृद र्ठ्ठद्म् ठ्ठहय्द्वठ्ठथ्न्र् ठ्ठत्ड्ढड्ड दृद ण्ड्ढ ढथ्दृदृद्ध दृढ ण्ड्ढ Hदृद्वम्ड्ढ डन्र् ण्ठ्ठद्य् ग्ड्ढथ्र्डड्ढद्ध.
*ग़्दृद्य् द्धड्ढहदृद्धड्डड्ढड्ड.
*ग़्दृद्य् द्धड्ढहदृद्धड्डड्ढड्ड.
*Lठ्ठत्ड्ड दृद ण्ड्ढ र्ठ्ठडथ्ड्ढ ठ्ठदड्ड ठ्ठद्म्दृ द्रथ्ठ्ठहड्ढड्ड त्द Lत्डद्धठ्ठद्धन्र्. च्ड्ढड्ढ ग़्दृ. Lच्र् 6988/16/17.
*Eदर्थ्त्द्म्ण् य्द्धठ्ठदथ्ठ्ठय्त्दृद दृढ ण्ड्ढ म्द्रड्ढड्ढहण् दृद्धश्र्त्दठ्ठथ्न्र् ड्डड्ढथ्त्ध्ड्ढद्धड्ढड्ड त्द ग्ठ्ठदत्द्रद्वद्धत्.
*Eदर्थ्त्द्म्ण् य्द्धठ्ठदथ्ठ्ठय्त्दृद दृढ ण्ड्ढ म्द्रड्ढड्ढहण् दृद्धश्र्त्दठ्ठथ्न्र् ड्डड्ढथ्त्ध्ड्ढद्धड्ढड्ड त्द व्ड्ढदर्ठ्ठथ्त्.
*Eदर्थ्त्द्म्ण् य्द्धठ्ठदथ्ठ्ठय्त्दृद दृढ ण्ड्ढ द्रठ्ठद्धद्य् दृढ म्द्रड्ढड्ढहण् दृद्धश्र्त्दठ्ठथ्न्र् ड्डड्ढथ्त्ध्ड्ढद्धड्ढड्ड त्द व्ड्ढदर्ठ्ठथ्त्.
*Eदर्थ्त्द्म्ण् य्द्धठ्ठदथ्ठ्ठय्त्दृद दृढ ण्ड्ढ म्द्रड्ढड्ढहण् दृद्धश्र्त्दठ्ठथ्न्र् ड्डड्ढथ्त्ध्ड्ढद्धड्ढड्ड त्द घ्द्वदर्ठ्ठडत्.
*र्द्धड्ढठ्ठय्ड्ढड्ड ठ्ठद्म् थ्ठ्ठत्ड्ड दृद ण्ड्ढ र्ठ्ठडथ्ड्ढ *ग्दृध्ड्ढड्ड र्द्य्ण् ण्ड्ढ द्धड्ढहदृर्ड्ढदड्डठ्ठय्त्दृद दृढ ण्ड्ढ घ्द्धड्ढत्ड्डड्ढदद्य् *ग़्दृद्य् द्धड्ढहदृद्धड्डड्ढड्ड.