UT-level workshop on Administrative Data Harmonization held at SKICC

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 1: Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES), J&K, organized a one-day UT-level workshop on “Administrative Data Harmonization” at SKICC here today, aimed at improving the quality, consistency, interoperability and effective use of administrative data across Government departments.

Dr Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Union Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), was the chief guest. R Alice Vaz, Commissioner/Secretary, Planning, Development & Monitoring Department, along with administrative secretaries of major line departments, attended the workshop.

Addressing the gathering, R Alice Vaz stressed the importance of reliable, standardized and timely data for evidence-based policy formulation, efficient resource allocation and outcome-oriented governance. She called for stronger inter-departmental coordination, better data systems at the source and greater departmental ownership to ensure regular and quality administrative data flows.

Dr Saurabh Garg highlighted the pivotal role of administrative data in strengthening the national statistical system. He emphasized harmonization of concepts, definitions, classifications, metadata and standards to ensure comparability, interoperability and statistical quality.

In her welcome address, Ashu Gupta, Director General, Economics & Statistics, J&K, advocated a shift from fragmented and periodic data collection towards a structured, regular and quality-assured administrative data ecosystem.

Technical sessions featured experts from MoSPI, Government of Delhi, Government of Karnataka, Delhi Technological University, Population Council and other professional institutions. Discussions covered data harmonisation, Data and AI initiatives, population and development evidence, Karnataka’s Kutumba Digital Family Registry and frameworks for administrative data use.

A dedicated session also explored datasets that could be made AI-ready for improved analytics, innovation and governance.

The workshop brought together Administrative Secretaries, senior MoSPI officers, Chief Data Officers, members of Data Strategic Units, Chief Planning Officers and District Statistics and Evaluation Officers from various districts.

Nawshad Ahmad, Joint Director (Central), DES, J&K, presented the closing remarks, while Shavaiz Ahmad, Regional Director (Evaluation & Statistics), Kashmir, delivered the vote of thanks.