HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 12: As part of the ongoing Swachhta Pakhwada (1st July – 15th July 2023) initiated by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the officers and staff members of NSSO (National Sample Survey Office), Regional Office Guwahati, conducted an awareness campaign in Kochapara market, Mirza. The campaign focused on promoting hand hygiene, discouraging plastic usage, preventing littering, and discouraging spitting, in order to foster a cleaner and healthier environment.
Kochapara market holds special significance for NSSO, as it is one of the Consumer Price Index (Urban) markets from which monthly price data on various commodities are collected by NSSO, Regional Office Guwahati. Originally introduced to measure changes in the living costs of workers, the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) has evolved to become an important macroeconomic indicator for monitoring inflation, price stability, and deflators in the National Accounts.
However, gathering accurate and reliable data from the shopkeepers in these markets can sometimes be challenging. In an effort to foster cooperation and highlight the genuine purpose of data collection, the NSSO team organised the swachhta campaign in Kochapara market. The campaign aimed to raise awareness among shopkeepers and bystanders about the importance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, as well as the significance of their contributions to economic analysis through the provision of accurate price data.
During the campaign, sanitisers, soaps, and pens adorned with the NSO (National Sample Survey Office) logo were distributed to the shopkeepers and bystanders who inquired about the purpose of the campaign. Additionally, placards displaying the theme of the campaign were strategically placed in various locations within the market. Some proactive shopkeepers even requested the placement of such placards inside their shops, demonstrating their commitment to the cause.
The NSSO team hopes that by engaging with the community and emphasising the importance of cleanliness and data collection, a stronger bond can be forged between the shopkeepers and data collectors. The campaign not only serves as a means to promote hand hygiene and environmental awareness but also strives to ensure that the economic analysis carried out by NSSO accurately reflects the reality of price dynamics and inflation.