Stir hampers economic survey in Seemandhra

Hyderabad: The United Andhra agitation that hit life in 13 districts of Seemandhra region had a paralysing effect on the study of economic survey taken up by State Directorate of Economics and Statistics at the behest of the Union government to assess the State growth, industrial development and prices and wages statistics for the year 2013-14.

Over 1,000 employees working from the level of assistant statistical officers from mandal level to chief planning officers engaged in the surveys including census of land holdings to be completed in four sub rounds in the State at district level boycotted computational activities in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts.

The second sub round which began in July is supposed to be completed in September, but due to the absenteeism of the employees, there was no survey work in the month of August. The delay in the survey would have a cumulative effect on the economic survey report and policies of Planning Commission as any deviation in standard survey process will result in inaccurate and inappropriate data.

The Central government allocates funds for the economic development of State, based on the survey compiled by the Directorate in co-ordination with the National Sample Survey organisation (NSSO) and Central Statistical Organization.