The budget missed a chance to make our statistics more robust

Its modest allocations for India's data requirements reveal neglect of a vital aspect of governance

- T.C.A. ANANT is a former chief statistician of India and visiting professor at the Institute for Studies of Industrial Development

The government has just presented the first full-year budget of its third term, marking a significant milestone in its economic agenda. This budget stands out for a deft tightrope walk, navigating the complex challenges posed by an uncertain global environment while ensuring that India's growth remains strong. It addresses the pressing need to stimulate domestic consumption through targeted incentives and sectoral support while staying committed to fiscal prudence, which has been a hallmark of this government.

The budget introduces a range of forward-looking measures, including strategic investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and social welfare programmes. These have been largely welcomed by industry leaders, economists and social commentators who view them as a prudent mix of growth-oriented initiatives and financial discipline. The focus on long-term structural reforms, along with short-term relief measures, should reinforce confidence in India's economic resilience.

However, provisions for the Census and surveys by the ministry of home affairs as well as budget allocations for the ministry of statistics and programme implementation indicate that no new traditional statistical exercise is planned this year, further implying that the long-overdue 2021 Census is unlikely to be initiated any time soon.

Also, the modest changes in allocations for the statistics ministry may be inadequate even for the proposed base revisions of the national accounts.