National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) Conducts Data Collection Exercises
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) is currently conducting over half a dozen data collection exercises to gain a clearer picture of the current economic situation. This information will also be used to update various indices, including the consumer price index (CPI), wholesale price index (WPI), and the index of industrial production (IIP).
These ongoing surveys include the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), Time Use Survey, Urban Frame Survey, Agriculture Statistics Survey, and price collection survey.
ASUSE Provides Data on Informal Sector Enterprises
Significantly, the NSSO is currently undertaking ASUSE, which provides data on non-incorporated non-farm sector enterprises or informal sector enterprises. These enterprises form a large chunk of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector. The current ASUSE is for the year 2023-24, although reports for previous years are yet to be released. The latest available report is for 2015-16. After that, the survey was to be conducted annually, but the results for four years (2016-2020) have not been released.
PLFS and HCES Data Used to Update CPI
While PLFS is undertaken periodically to collect data on unemployment in the country, the first round of results of HCES 2022-23 was also released recently. A second round of HCES 2023-24 is currently underway. Data from both surveys will then be used to update the basket of CPI or retail inflation as there will be more understanding of how households are spending. The price collection surveys are also expected to help with this.
ASI Data Provides Picture of Manufacturing Enterprises
Meanwhile, the government has released the data of ASI 2020-21 and 2021-22, which gives a picture of the country's manufacturing enterprises and employment in the sector. The latest ASI being undertaken is for the fiscal year 2022-23.
Time Use Survey Measures Time Dispositions
The last Time Use Survey, which provides a framework for measuring time dispositions by the population on different activities, was conducted for the year 2019. The main objective of the survey is to measure participation of men and women in paid and unpaid activities.