Abstract

Genesis One of the main task of the statistical system of a country is to provide the planners and policy makers with information on various aspects of economic' social and related activities in terms of its contribution to national economy and life, are available on a time series basis. Information on some other activities, though small in terms of its economic contribution but huge in terms of participating employment, was sparsely available through type studies and pilot surveys. In order to bridge the data gaps in these unrecorded but visible economic activities, the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) had embarked upon a programe of bationwide census of all economic activities, called the Economic Census (EC) which was followed by periodic detailed enquiries on a sample basis.

EARLIER CENSUSES

ECONOMIC CENSUS (EC 1977)

1.2 The first Economic Census to collect information in the non-agricultural economy was conducted in 1977, wherein the coverage was restricted only to non-agricultural enterprises employing at least one hired worker on a fairly regular basis. The census was undertaken with the participation of the Directorate of Economics & Statistics in various States/UTS by utilizing the services of persons appointed on a temporary/part-time basis. All the States/UTS of India, except the Union Territory of Lakshadweep were covered in the census. The EC 1977 adopted a dual approach; viz. (i) house listing approach for the urban areas and also for villages with a population of more than 5,000 as per 1971 population census in rural areas and (ii) village level enquiry for the remaining villages in the rural areas.

1.3 An establishment slip for recording the activity carried on, number of persons usually working with hired components, location and other basic characteristics including value of output/turnover was canvassed. However, in case of manufacturing activity details about the output were also collected for important items. A schedule giving village amenities was also canvassed with details of various services available and the distance from the village to avail such facilities.

1.4 Reports based on the data of EC 1977 at State/UT and all-India levels were prepared and published. Tables giving the activity group wise distribution of establishments with selected characteristics and with rural and urban break-up were generated. State-wise details for major activities and size class of employment, inter-alia, were also presented in tables. 1.5 The census was followed by detailed sample surveys during 1978-79 and 1979-80 covering the enterprises engaged in Manufacturing, Trade, Hotels & Restaurants, Transport, Storage & Warehousing and services. Detailed information on employment, emoluments, capital structure, input, etc. was collected. The data were disseminated in the form of reports giving all important characteristics on each of the concerned subject.

ECONOMIC CENSUS - 1980 (EC 1980)

1.6 As the Economic Census covers a large number of small units which are subjected to high rate of mobility and mortality, the census is required to be conducted at frequent intervals, generally not exceeding 5 years, to understand the structural changes and the status of entrepreneurial activities. Economic census being an independent one exclusively conducted for the purpose, large administrative and field machinery was required for its operation. The operations of the Census involve listing of addresses of enterprises through household approach and therefore, it was considered economical and expedient to organize the second Economic Census along with the houselisting operations of population census. The second Economic Census was thus conducted in 1980, alongwith the house listing operations of the population Census, 1981. All enterprises, engaged in economic activities - both agricultural and non-agricultural, whether employing any hired worker or not, were covered, except those engaged in crop production and plantation. Thus as against only non-agricultural establishments covered in the first Economic Census the second Economic Census covered all enterprises. All States/UTs were covered, except Assam, where the population Census, 1981 was not conducted.

1 .7 The information on location of enterprises, description of economic activity carried on, nature of operation, type of ownership, social group of owner, use of power, total number of workers usually engaged with its hired component and break-up of male and female workers was collected. The entire field work was done by the field staff consisting of enumerators and supervisors employed in the Directorate of Census operations of each State/UT. The State Directorates of Economics & Statistics were also associated in the supervision of field work, data processing and preparation of State reports of Economic Census and their publication.

1.8 The tabulation for Economic Census 1980 consisted of generation of two series of tables (A' series and 'B' series) with different sets of groupings for minor and major activities as also for agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. Summary statements which basically provide the sampling frame and planning material for enterprise surveys to be followed up were generated for each State/District separately for rural and urban areas. SeriesA' gives the number of own- account enterprises and establishments with relevant characteristics Classified according to nature for economic activity. Series 'B' gives the principal characteristics of own-account enterprises and establishments classified by size class of total employment for each economic activity. The results have been published at State/All-India level.

1. 9 The results of the Economic Census, 1980 were extensively used in planning the follow-up surveys of 2nd and 3rd series. In the 2nd series, surveys were conducted to collect details of the enterprises in (a) Transport, Hotels & Restaurants, Services and storage & warehousing (1983-84), (b) Unorganized Manufacturing (1984-85) and (c) Trade (1985-86). The 3rd series of follow-up surveys commencing from 1988-89 covered the following subjects:

1988-89 - Transport and Hotels & Restaurants, 1989-90 - Unorganized Manufacturing Establishments, 1990-91 - Trade Sector, 1991-92 - Medical, Educational, Cultural & other services.

1.10 In 1987-88, an updation of the sampling frame was done for 64 Class I cities/towns where identification of first stage units posed problems due to changes in urban structure. This information was used to conduct sample surveys after 1987-88.

ECONOMIC CENSUS -1990 (EC-1990)

1.11 The need for conducting regular economic census giving the details of entrepreneurial activities in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors was felt by various statistical for a academic and research institutions. Accordingly a Central Plan Scheme was prepared which was approved with a budget allocation of Rs.15.47 crores. The scheme was given to the Department of Statistics for implementation.

1.12 A unit headed by a Joint Director was formed in the Economic Census and Surveys Division of the Central Statistical Organization with the responsibility of overseeing the field work and its completion, data processing and publication of results. The unit functioned under the guidance of the Director of Economic Census and Surveys Division.

1.13 The scope and coverage of the Economic Census was finalized by a Technical Advisory Group ( TAG) represented by the Planning Commission, Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Labour, National Sample Survey Organization, Computer Centre of the Department of Statistics, Reserve Bank of India, State Directorates of Economics & Statistics, some of the Universities and Institutions. The main task of the TAG was to outline the details of the conduct of third Economic Census and synchronizing that with the house listing operations of the Population Census 1991. The terms of reference of the TAG were as follows:

a) To advise on the scope, coverage and concepts of the third Economic Census;

b) To lay down procedures for ensuring that the open air enterprises like mines, quarries, brick kilns are covered in third Economic Census;

c) To examine the feasibility of adopting urban frame survey blocks as units of enumeration in urban areas;

d) To finalize the tabulation programme and advise on the decentralization of tabulation work.

    The TAG was assisted by three Sub- Groups. Viz. (i) sub-Group I to deal with the concepts, definitions and items coverage etc., Sub-Group II to examine the feasibility of adopting urban frame survey blocks and of conducting post enumeration checks and Sub-Group III to deal with the tabulation programmes and data processing.

WORK PLAN

1.14 The third Economic census was conducted along with the house listing operations of the population census, 1991 on the same pattern of Economic Census, 1980 which was taken up in all the states/UTS except Jammu & Kashmir where the population census, 1991 was not undertaken. The Registrar General and census commissioner of India and the Directors of census operations of states/UTS were given the job of organization and coordination of field work. The enumerators and supervisors involved in the operations of Economic census were given prior training at different levels. The Directorates of Economics & statistics in states/UTS were associated in the entire programme.

FORMS AND ITEMS OF INFORMATION COLLECTED

1.15 In most of the States, the enumeration work was completed between April - 1990. All particulars relating to an enterprise were collected in a form called `Enterprise List' (Annexure I). The items of

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF ECONOMIC CENSUS IN INDIA

1. GENESIS

A reliable and robust database is the foundation of organized and proper planning. TheCentral Statistics Office (CSO), since its inception, has been instrumental in creation of database forvarious sectors of the economy and its periodic updation so as to meet the requirements of the plannersfor sound and systematic planning both at the macro as well as micro levels. While data requirementsmay be enormous in various sectors, the judicious collection and maintenance of data for varioussectors within the available resource is a challenge. Our economy can broadly be classified into twosectors, namely, Agricultural and Non-Agricultural sectors. Fairly reasonable database exists forAgricultural Sector whereas such data base for Non-Agricultural sector is much desired. Keeping inview the importance of the non-agricultural sector in the economy and non-availability of basic framefor adoption in various sampling techniques for collection of data and estimation of various parameters,conducting Economic Census was felt necessary. With this background, the CSO started EconomicCensus for preparing frame of establishments, particularly the ‘area frame’ which could be used forvarious surveys for collection of detailed data, mainly on non-agricultural sector of the economy.

1. EARLIER ATTEMPTS

Broadly the entire planning period may be divided into two: prior to conduct of the FirstEconomic Census i.e. prior to 1977 and thereafter i.e. after the economic census was carried outperiodically. Efforts to fill up the data gaps for the non-agricultural sector were made right from thebeginning of the First Five Year Plan. The first National Sample Survey (NSS) round (1950-51)covered non-agricultural household establishments as one of its subject themes. Such establishmentswere covered regularly up to the tenth NSS round (1955-56). Subsequently, selected activities weretaken up for survey intermittently in different rounds (14th, 23 rd & 29th rounds). Establishmentschedules were canvassed in 1971 population census. The census of unorganized industrial units wascarried out during 1971 -73. Census of the units falling within the purview of Development Commissioner, Small Scale Industries, was carried out during 1973-74 and a survey on distributivetrade was conducted by some of the States during the Fourth Five-Year Plan period (1969-74). Allsuch efforts made prior to 1977 to collect data on non-agricultural establishments have been partial andsporadic. Area sampling with probability proportional to population were mostly used even to captureestablishments. For a survey of establishments such sample design is not only inefficient but alsoresults in under coverage of desired number of establishments and low reliability of the estimatesderived. The prolonged efforts of statisticians and planners in finding a way out for collection ofinformation on amorphous areas of activity resulted in a decisive breakthrough with the advent ofconduct of Economic Census.

1. ECONOMIC CENSUSES CONDUCTED IN THE PAST

The Economic Enquiry Committee set up in 1925 under the Chairmanship of Dr.Visweswarayya and more importantly the Bowley-Robertson Committee set up later in 1934, were mainly responsible for the government’s decision to set up an Inter-Departmental Committee with theEconomic Adviser to the Government of India as the chairman. The Inter-Departmental Committeerecommended the formation of a Central Statistical Office for coordination, institution of a statisticalcadre, establishment of State Bureaus at State Head Quarters and maintenance of important statisticsfor the entire country. Bowley and Robertson Committee also commissioned a study to explore thepossibility of conducting economic censuses in India. The first coordinated approach was made by theerstwhile Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Government of India, by launching a plan scheme'Economic Census and Surveys' in 1976. The scheme envisaged organising countrywide census of alleconomic activities (excluding those engaged in crop production and plantation) followed by detailedsample surveys of unorganised segments of different sectors of non-agricultural economy in a phasedmanner during the intervening period of two successive economic censuses.The basic purpose of conducting the economic census (EC) was to prepare a frame for followup surveys intended to collect more detailed sector specific information between two economiccensuses. In view of the rapid changes that occur in the unorganised sectors of non-agriculturaleconomy due to high mobility or morbidity of smaller units and also on account of births of new units,the scheme envisaged conducting the economic census periodically in order to update the frame fromtime to time.

1. First Economic Census (EC -1977) and Follow Up Surveys

The First Economic Census was conducted throughout the country, except Lakshadweep,during 1977 in collaboration with the Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES) in the States/UnionTerritories (UT). The coverage was restricted to only non-agricultural establishments employing atleast one hired worker on a fairly regular basis. Data on items such as description of activity, number ofpersons usually working, type of ownership, etc. were collected.Reports based on the data of EC-1977 at State/UT level and at all India level were published.Tables giving the activity group-wise distribution of establishments with selected characteristics andwith rural and urban break up were generated. State-wise details for major activities and size-class ofemployment in different establishments, inter-alia, were also presented in tables.Based on the frame provided by the First Economic Census, detailed sample surveys werecarried out during 1978-79 and 1979-80 covering the establishments engaged in manufacturing, trade,hotels & restaurants, transport, storage & warehousing and services. While the smaller establishments(employing less than six workers) and own account establishments were covered by National SampleSurvey Organisation (NSSO) as a part of its 33rd and 34th rounds, the larger establishments were covered through separate surveys by the CSO. Detailed information on employment, emoluments,capital structure, quantity & value of input, output, etc. were collected and reports giving all importantcharacteristics on each of the concerned subjects were published.

1. Second Economic Census (EC-1980) and Follow Up Surveys

The Second Economic Census was conducted in 1980 along with the house-listing operations ofPopulation Census 1981. This was done with a view to economizing resources, manpower, time andmoney. The scope and coverage were enlarged. This time all establishments engaged in economicactivities - both agricultural and non-agricultural whether employing any hired worker or not werecovered, except those engaged in crop production and plantation. All States/UTs were covered withthe sole exception of Assam, where Population Census 1981 was not conducted.The information on location of establishment, description of economic activity carried out,nature of operation, type of ownership, social group of owner, use of power/fuel, total number ofworkers usually engaged with its hired component and break-up of male and female workers werecollected. The items on which information were collected in Second Economic Census were more orless the same as those collected in the First Economic Census. However, based on experience gained inthe First Economic Census certain items viz. years of operation, value of annualoutput/turnover/receipt, mixed activity or not, registered/ licensed/recognised and act or authority, ifregistered were dropped.The field work was done by the field staff consisting of enumerators and supervisors employedin the Directorate of Census Operations of each State/UT. The State Directorates of Economics &Statistics (DES) were also associated in the supervision of fieldwork. Data processing and preparationof State level reports of economic census and their publication were carried out by the DES.Based on the frame thrown up by EC-1980, three follow-up surveys were carried out, one in1983-84 on hotels & restaurants, transport, storage & warehousing and services, second in 1984-85 onunorganised manufacturing and third in 1985- 86 on wholesale and retail trade.The economic census scheduled for 1986 could not be carried out due to resource constraints.However, the EC- 1980 frame was updated during 1987-88 in 64 cities (12 cities having more than 10lakh population and 52 other class-I cities) which had problems of identification of enumerationblocks and changes due to rapid urbanization. On the basis of the updated frame, four follow-upsurveys were conducted during 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91 and 1991-92 covering the subjects ofhotels & restaurants and transport, unorganized manufacturing, wholesale & retail trade and medical,educational, cultural & other services respectively.

1. Third Economic Census (EC-1990) and Follow Up Surveys

The Third Economic Census was synchronized with the house listing operations of the Population Census 1991 on the same pattern as EC- 1980. The coverage was similar to that of EC-1980. All States/UTs except Jammu & Kashmir, where Population Census 1991 was not undertaken,were covered.Based on the frame thrown up by EC-1990 four follow up surveys were carried out:(i) Establishment Survey covering sectors of mining & quarrying, storage & warehousingin 1992-93;(ii) Establishment Survey covering sectors of hotels & restaurants and transport in 1993-94;(iii) NSS 51 st round covering directory, non-directory and own account establishments inunregistered manufacturing sector in 1994-95; and(iv) Directory Trade Establishments Survey in 1996-97. NSS 53 rd round covered theresidual part of the unorganised trade sector in 1997.

1. Fourth Economic Census (EC-1998) and Follow up Surveys

Census: Population: Maharashtra data was reported at 112,374,333.000 Person in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 96,878,627.000 Person for 03-01-2001. Census: Population: Maharashtra data is updated decadal, averaging 35,778,141.000 Person from Mar 1901 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 112,374,333.000 Person in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 19,391,643.000 Person in 03-01-1901. Census: Population: Maharashtra data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAB002: Census: Population: by States.