The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill 2017 seeks to amend collection of Statistics Bill 2008 by extending the bill to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The collection of Statistic Bill 2008 empowers central, state and local government and bodies for the collection of data for the statistical purpose from the people in terms of their social,economic, demographic ,scientific and environmental aspects. It also allows the appointment of statistics officers to collect information and contains provisions to ensure the security of information.
Key Features of the new Bill
1.Extension of Jurisdiction
The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill 2017 extends the jurisdiction of collection of statistics 2008 bill to the state of Jammu and Kashmir which was not provided in the previous bill of 2008 for the collection of statistical data for the matters in the central and concurrent list of seventh schedule of the Constitution as applicable to state of Jammu and Kashmir. These subjects include citizenship, education, banking, labour and forests.
2.Appointment of Nodal officer
The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill 2017 had a provision for the appointment of one of its officer by the central or state government as a nodal officer for the task of collection of statistical data under the purview of this act. The nodal officer will coordinate and supervise statistical activities under the government by whom he is appointed. The Bill also states that the powers and duties of the nodal officer can be determined by the central government.
3.Use of Information
The earlier act of 2008 allows the central government to use information for statistical purpose only and nothing else.However, the new bill removes this prohibition on the central government.It allows the central government to determine the manner in which to use the collected statistical information for the statistical purpose.
Analysis
The Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill 2017 thus tries to bring Jammu and Kashmir under the ambit of uniform central law which exist in whole of India thereby bringing legislative similarity in whole of India and filling the vacuum that was caused due to differences between The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 and the Jammu and Kashmir Collection of Statistics Act, 2010 for the aforesaid activity .