Stats bureau now exclusively empowered to publish data

The Statistics and Informatics Division (SID) under the Ministry of Planning has adopted two policies granting the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) exclusive authority to publish all findings and reports produced through its regular activities or any development projects implemented under its purview.

As a result, the release of data will no longer require approval from the SID or any other government body-enhancing the independence and autonomy of the BBS and improving the quality of its data, according to the officials concerned.

The SID on Thursday made public the "Data Dissemination Policy 2025" and "Statistical Compilation, Publication and Preservation Policy 2025" following approval by Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud on Wednesday.

"These policies have been developed under the Statistics Act 2013 to ensure greater autonomy for the BBS," said Aleya Akter, Secretary of the SID.

She said that the BBS was defined as the National Statistics Office (NSO) by the act approved in 2013, but the act yet to define the appropriate authority to publish any report or data of the BBS.

She also mentioned that the SID initiated the process of drafting a regulation to clarify the Statistics Act but introduced the policy in the meantime due to the lengthy approval process required for formal regulations.

According to the BBS officials, the absence of clear policies previously required the BBS to seek approval from the SID, the planning minister, and, in some cases, even the Prime Minister's Office before publishing any survey or related data.

This often led to political interference, resulting in inconsistencies in key indicators such as inflation, GDP growth, poverty rates, and population figures. They believe that if the new policy is fully implemented, it will enhance the quality and credibility of BBS statistics.

Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud said on Wednesday at a press briefing following the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), "I have signed two policies formalizing this change, along with the data disclosure policy."

As a result, the BBS will no longer be required to seek approval or signatures from ministers, advisers, or any higher government authorities to release information, he added.

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