Statistics has assumed greater significance today than ever in view of the structural and systematic changes that are rapidly taking place in the socio-economic development of a State. Effective implementation of Government plans and schemes depends upon quantitative and qualitative data in the State. Socio-economic planning not only requires convergence of strategic development goals set in the various sector, but also defines the long-term development trajectory of the State. Therefore, requirement for institutional arrangement to place the State on the strategic development path with a sound and objective oriented database in each of these sectors is inevitable.
To Fulfill these requirement and with the growth of statistical activities and emerging demands for data, Directorate of Economics & Statistics was established in the year 1969, and subsequently declared as the Nodal agency of the State Government for data collection, dissemination; vide order No.E&S/GEN/4-27/2009, dated 29th April, 2009.
This declaration mandates the Directorate to develop an efficient Statistical System in the State, laying down norms and standards in the field of Statistics. Further, it is accountable to evolve concepts, definitions and methodology for data collection, processing of data and dissemination of its result. It also maintains a comprehensive information system and necessary database to give direction towards consolidation of development process through informed database to achieve its desired results.
The Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Department of Economics & Statistics is the administrative head and the Director is the heads of the Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES). DES functions under the three tier system i.e. State level, District level and Block level. At the State level, the Directorate is the apex body and control and provides technical guidance to all the statistical cells attached to the different line Departments and District Economics and Statistics Offices.
At the District level, the District Economics and Statistics Officer (DESO) is the head of the office. The DESO is the member secretary in the district level committees relating to statistical matters and is also the District Registrar of Births & Deaths.
With a view to evolve grass-root data collection, Inspector of Statistics (IOS) are posted in 46 Rural Development Blocks to assist the Block Development Officers in data collection, compilation of various statistical reports including preparation of Village Directory.