New Delhi: For the first time in the last 4 decades in the country, there has been a decline in consumer spending. This was said in the report of the National Statistics Office about a month ago. Bimal Kumar Roy, then chairman of the National Statistical Commission, had spoken of publishing this report. However, now the institute has decided not to release the report.
On the question of not releasing the report, Roy said, “I tried. The survey was proposed to be released, but I did not get support. I had proposed this as chairman, but it did not go ahead. I cannot say anything more than this. ‘
Quoting a source, Business Standard said in its report that Chief Statistics Pravin Srivastava opposed the release of the data at the meeting. However one member objected to this and said that the data should be released. Members’ opinions are not included in the minutes of the meeting issued between the members.
The National Statistical Commission has now ordered the preparation of reports with new technology in FY 2021 and 2022. The government had constituted a committee under the leadership of former Chief Justice Pranab last month, which was ordered to conduct a new survey on consumer spending.
According to experts, the reduction in consumer spending means that the poverty ratio in the country has increased after decades. The minutes of the meeting of the National Statistical Commission stated, ‘It is recommended that the results of this survey should not be released in the present form nor should it be seen as an indicator of the overall economy of the country.’