ASI Introduction
Introduction:
The Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) is the principal source of industrial statistics in India . It provides statistical information to assess and evaluate, objectively and realistically, the changes in the growth, composition and structure of organised manufacturing sector comprising activities related to manufacturing processes, repair services, gas and water supply and cold storage. Industrial sector occupies an important position in the Indian economy and has a pivotal role to play in the rapid and balanced economic development. Viewed in this context the collection and dissemination of ASI data, on a regular basis, are of vital importance. The survey is conducted annually under the statutory provisions of the Collection of Statistics Act 1953, and the Rules framed thereunder in 1959, except in the State of Jammu & Kashmir where it is conducted under the State Collection of Statistics Act, 1961 and the rules framed thereunder in 1964.
Historical Background:
Understanding the importance of collection and compilation of data relating to industrial sector of the country, the Government of India, after 1930, launched a voluntary scheme for collection of detailed data from important industries in India. During the Second World War, in order to cater the specific requirement of war management, each government department created its own statistical sections. In 1942, Industrial Statistics Act was formed on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Labour. A Directorate of Industrial Statistics (DIS) was formed in 1945 under Ministry of Commerce to administer the act. DIS started Census of Manufacturing Industries in 1946. After independence, Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) was set up under Cabinet Secretariat by the Government of India in 1951 as an apex statistical body for co-ordinating the large variety of data collected by various agencies which was necessitated for adoption of planned economy by the government. In 1956, the Industrial Statistics Act 1942 was repealed with the passing of a more comprehensive Collection of Statistics Act 1953. Subsequently DIS was transferred to the Cabinet Secretariat in 1959 and was attached to Central Statistical Organisation as Industrial Statistics Wing.