As UP Eyes $1 Trillion Economy, Govt Turns to Stronger District-Level Data for Development Push

The Yogi government, committed to transforming Uttar Pradesh into a ‘one trillion dollar economy,’ organised a special workshop to strengthen the capabilities of statistical officers. On Saturday, the Planning

Department held a one-day training and workshop titled “From Data to Development: Strengthening District-Level Economic Insight” at Yojana Bhawan, Room No. 111, Lucknow. The workshop was chaired by Principal Secretary, Planning, Alok Kumar, who provided key guidance and strategic suggestions to officials. The program began with a formal welcome for guests and field officials, followed by an overview from Director, Economics and Statistics, Alka Bahuguna Dhoundiyal, who emphasised that ensuring the reliability, quality, timeliness, and proper utilisation of statistical data is essential for effective policy-making in a dynamic environment.In his keynote address, Alok Kumar highlighted the critical role of economic data at the district level and stressed the importance of its effective use. He urged district and divisional administrations to adopt innovative methods and relevant data to accelerate development and take timely, positive action. Officials were also reminded to prepare rigorously for the implementation of the OTD Mission, reviewing meetings factually and making necessary improvements. The Principal Secretary described the OTD Mission as a key driver of economic development and encouraged officials to act accordingly.The workshop underscored the need to make district-level planning development-oriented and inclusive through the ‘District Economic Report.’ Detailed presentations were made on District Domestic Product (DDP) estimates, the District OTD Cell, the DDP Toolkit, and the Annual Industry Survey to guide local development initiatives. Alok Kumar emphasised that accurate district-level data is pivotal for enabling effective participation in development and realising national development goals. He also highlighted the importance of the Planning Department and instructed officials to promptly discharge their responsibilities within the Economics and Statistics Division.Secretary, Planning, Masoom Ali Sarwar, encouraged officials to stay vigilant, aware of their responsibilities, and ensure the implementation of government priority schemes through data. He further stressed the importance of continuous learning and skill enhancement through future workshops and training programs.Ashish Kumar, retired Director General of the Ministry of Statistics and Programs, praised Uttar Pradesh’s innovations, including digital data collection, and stressed the importance of rigorous oversight to maintain data quality. He also lauded the state’s acclaimed District Domestic Product estimates booklet, noting that Uttar Pradesh has become a benchmark for other states. He concluded by reminding officials of the growing responsibilities that statisticians will face in the future.The workshop included technical sessions covering key topics such as District Domestic Product (DDP) estimates, District OTD Cells, DDP Toolkits, Annual Survey of Industries, Index of Industrial Production, PLFS/ASUSE Surveys, Women’s Economic Empowerment Index (WEE Index), and “Viksit Uttar Pradesh @ 2047.”Distinguished participants included Ashish Kumar, retired Director General, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India; Masoom Ali Sarwar, Secretary, Planning and Director General, Economics and Statistics Division, Uttar Pradesh; Akshat Verma, Special Secretary, Planning Department; Alka Bahuguna, Director, Economics and Statistics Division; Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, Additional Director; R.K. Mishra, Additional Director and Regional Deputy Director, and officials from the Economics and Statistics Division Headquarters.Presentations were delivered by Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, Additional Director; Rashmi, Deputy Director; Dr. Rajesh Kumar Chauhan; Shalu Goyal, Deputy Director; Manju Ashok; and Dr. Priyanka Singh Bhadauria, who highlighted various technical aspects of the subjects. The program was conducted by Senior Deputy Director Rashmi, ensuring a smooth flow of sessions.