Srinagar, Sep 1:The Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES), J&K, under the Planning, Development & Monitoring Department, organised a one-day UT-level workshop on “Administrative Data Harmonisation” at SKICC, Srinagar, to strengthen the quality, consistency, interoperability and effective use of administrative data across Government departments.
The Chief Guest for the workshop was Dr. Saurabh Garg, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India. Madam R. Alice Vaz, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary, Planning, Development & Monitoring Department along with other Administrative Secretaries of Major line departments were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, R. Alice Vaz introduced 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. Commissioner/ Secretary, PD&MD underscored 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.
The Chief Guest on the occasion, Dr. Saurabh Garg highlighted the pivotal role of administrative data in strengthening the national statistical system.
He stressed harmonisation of concepts, definitions, classifications, metadata and standards to ensure comparability, interoperability and statistical quality, and encouraged J&K to leverage institutional mechanisms such as Data Strategic Units and Chief Data Officers. In her welcome address, Ms. 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 is 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.
The technical sessions featured experts from MoSPI, Government of Delhi, Government of Karnataka, Delhi Technological University, Population Council and other professional institutions. 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, 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 brought together Administrative Secretaries, senior officers from MoSPI, Chief Data Officers, members of Data Strategic Units and other senior officials, providing a platform to share experiences, identify challenges and develop practical pathways for administrative data harmonisation in J&K.
Chief Planning Officers and District Statistics and Evaluation Officers from various districts of UT also participated in the workshop. The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to building a trusted, interoperable and future-ready administrative data ecosystem for better evidence-based planning, effective programme monitoring and improved governance outcomes for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Shri Nawshad Ahmad, Joint Director (Central), DES, J&K, presented the closing remarks while, Shri Shavaiz Ahmad, Regional Director (Evaluation & Statistics), Kashmir, delivered the vote of thanks and conveyed his gratitude to the dignitaries, experts and participating officers for their valuable contributions and active participation in making the workshop a success.
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