ASI data key to State, national economic estimates: NSO offiical

The Annual Survey of Industries data is crucial for estimating Gross Value Added and Gross Domestic Product at the State and national levels and for inter-State comparison of industrial performance, sectoral growth and employment assessment in the organised manufacturing sector.

Highlighting this, the National Statistical Office organised a State-level roundtable conference here on Tuesday, chaired by D. Satish, Deputy Director General, NSO.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Satish said the ASI, conducted regularly since 1960, is the principal source of industrial statistics in the country. J. Venugopal, Joint Director, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, and Assistant Directors Phanindra Sarma and Rajasekhar emphasised the need for accuracy, timeliness and statutory compliance, as the survey is conducted under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.

The conference aimed to train factory officials and business associations in self-compilation and online submission of ASI returns under the revised framework. The event drew 62 participants, including 24 NSO officials from across Andhra Pradesh, three officers from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics and 35 representatives of ASI units.

Senior NSO officers led practical sessions on accurate reporting of production, employment, energy consumption, input costs and financial details. An interactive session that followed enabled participants to clarify doubts and underscored the importance of data accuracy for policy formulation and industrial growth in the State.