FM Sitharaman to launch States Economic Forum portal

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to launch the ‘NITI NCAER States Economic Forum’ portal on Tuesday.

Developed by NITI Aayog in partnership with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), this portal serves as a comprehensive repository of data covering social, economic, and fiscal parameters, along with research reports and expert commentary on state finances over the past 30 years, from 1990-91 to 2022-23, as stated in an official announcement on Monday.

The portal features four main components:

1. State Reports: These summarize the macroeconomic and fiscal landscape of 28 Indian states, detailing indicators related to demography, economic structure, and socio-economic and fiscal metrics.
2. Data Repository: This component provides direct access to a complete database organized into five verticals: demography, economic structure, fiscal data, health, and education.
3. State Fiscal and Economic Dashboard: This section presents graphical representations of key economic variables over time and allows quick access to raw data via a data appendix or summary tables.
4. Research and Commentary: Featuring extensive research on state finances and important aspects of fiscal policy and financial management at both state and national levels.

The portal aims to enhance understanding of macroeconomic, fiscal, demographic, and socio-economic trends, presenting data in a user-friendly format. It will consolidate sectoral data in one location, allowing for benchmarking against other states and national figures. Furthermore, it will serve as a platform for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders to engage in informed debates and discussions.

In addition, the portal will function as a comprehensive research hub, offering a wealth of data and analytical tools for in-depth studies. By leveraging historical trends and real-time analytics, it will enable users to track progress, identify emerging patterns, and formulate evidence-based policies for development, according to the statement.