SRINAGAR, SEPT 01: The Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES), Jammu & Kashmir, under the Planning, Development & Monitoring Department, organised a one-day UT-level workshop on “Administrative Data Harmonisation” at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here on Monday, aimed at strengthening the quality, consistency, interoperability and effective use of administrative data across government departments.
Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Union Ministry for Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), chaired the workshop.
R. Alice Vaz, Commissioner Secretary, Planning, Development & Monitoring Department, along with Administrative Secretaries of major line departments, attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Garg highlighted the pivotal role of administrative data in strengthening the national statistical system. He stressed the need for harmonisation of concepts, definitions, classifications, metadata and standards to ensure comparability, interoperability and statistical quality.
He also encouraged Jammu & Kashmir to leverage institutional mechanisms such as Data Strategic Units and Chief Data Officers to strengthen the use of administrative data for planning and governance.
Addressing the gathering, R. Alice Vaz outlined the broad objectives of the workshop and emphasised the importance of reliable, standardised and timely data for evidence-based policy formulation, efficient resource allocation and outcome-oriented governance.
She stressed stronger coordination among departments and improvement of data systems at the source, while underscoring the importance of departmental ownership, inter-departmental coordination and sustainable institutional mechanisms for ensuring regular and quality administrative data flows aligned with planning, monitoring and evidence-based decision-making.
In her welcome address, Ashu Gupta, Director General, Economics & Statistics, J&K, described the workshop as an important step towards establishing a common statistical language across government departments.
She clarified that harmonisation was aimed at establishing common standards, definitions, classifications and metadata while retaining departmental ownership and accountability. She called for a shift from fragmented and periodic data collection towards a regular, structured and quality-assured administrative data ecosystem.
Focus on data and AI readiness
The technical sessions featured experts from MoSPI, Government of Delhi, Government of Karnataka, Delhi Technological University, Population Council and other professional institutions.
The discussions covered the national initiative on Data Harmonisation and Support for Statistical Strengthening, Data and AI initiatives, administrative data for population and development evidence, Karnataka’s Kutumba Digital Family Registry, and the Economic, Analytical and Governance Framework of Administrative Data Harmonisation.
A dedicated discussion was also held to identify administrative datasets that could be made AI-ready, with the objective of facilitating improved analytics, innovation and evidence-based governance.
The Kutumba initiative provided practical insights into the use of integrated digital family registries for targeted delivery of government benefits and services.
The workshop was attended by Administrative Secretaries, senior officers from MoSPI, Chief Data Officers, members of Data Strategic Units and other senior officials.
Chief Planning Officers and District Statistics and Evaluation Officers from various districts of Jammu & Kashmir also participated.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to building a trusted, interoperable and future-ready administrative data ecosystem to support evidence-based planning, effective programme monitoring and improved governance outcomes for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
