TEZPUR, July 23 � Faculty research, along with link with the requirement of policy formation and for success of Look East policy , the North East Regional Center of Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) was set up at Tezpur, said Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister and chairman ISI Council while inaugurating the fourth center of ISI at Tezpur University campus today.
The ISI is considered as a center for excellence and is famous worldwide. The Second Five Year Plan for the country was draft at this institute as then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru entrusted Professor Mahalanobis,� he added.
Thanking the Chief Minister for allotting 25 acres of land for the institute, he added that Rs 150 crore was allotted for construction works. He also expressed his deep appreciation to authority of Tezpur University for providing the academic building as well the hostels, so that the ISI can commence the academic session from Monday next.
Srikant Jena, Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, who also attended the function said that ISI came into being in the early 30�s following the pioneering efforts of Prof PC Mahalanobis, a renowned scientist and applied statistician. �The outstanding contributions made by the institute in theoretical and applied statistical work culminated in the recognition of the institute as an institute of national importance,� he added. The Centre is sponsoring the India Statistical Strengthening Project (ISSP), a scheme being implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 650.43 crore, with 80% being funded through a World Bank loan and the balance 20% being borne by Govt of India. The objective of ISSP is to strengthen and improve the State statistical systems and operations in accordance with prescribed standards in terms of quality, timeliness, adequacy, relevancy, and user friendliness and user satisfaction. �The programme is under implementation in four States. All other States, including the North Eastern States, are at various stages of finalization of the State Strategic Statistical Plan. Mizoram and Sikikim are finalizing the MOU, to be signed with ministry of SP�, Jena said.
Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, who was present during the inauguration ceremony said the institute would benefit the entire North Eastern Region. The statistical data system has to be improved as some problems are there in National Sample Survey data due to variations as we need proper statistical data for any planning work, he added.
Pranab Mukherjee also inaugurated the academic building of Mass Communication and School of Management, while Jena inaugurated the men�s and women hostels and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi inaugurated academic building of Food Engineering and Technology and Department of Civil Engineering.
SM Bendre, Head, ISI, NEC, Tezpur center, Mihir Kanti Choudhury, VC, TU, Bimal Kumar Roy , Director ISI, Dr TCA Anant, Secretary MOS & PI. were also present in the function.
