About Us
SASA is envisioned as a Centre of Excellence for research in official statistics and for providing training to the statistical personnel of the Department of Economics and Statistics
SASA aims to promote the development and dissemination of statistical knowledge and to contribute to the strengthening of the statistical system in Kerala. It organizes and conducts a wide range of training programmes, from basic to advanced levels, covering statistical concepts, theories, and skills for statistical personnel, researchers, and officials of local self-governments.
BACKGROUND OF SASA
The Government of India, accepting the recommendations of the National Statistical Commission chaired by Dr. C. Rangarajan, launched the India Statistical Strengthening Project (ISSP) with the prime objective of strengthening the statistical system in the country, as well as the state statistical systems.
In accordance with the guidelines of the Government of India, the State of Kerala prepared the Kerala State Strategic Statistical Plan (KLSSSP) in line with the National Strategic Statistical Plan. The plan outlined a strategy for reforming and revitalising the State’s official statistical system. The Government of Kerala signed the Letter of Participation on 7 May 2008 and decided to implement the KLSSSP as a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with an estimated project cost of ₹1,499 lakh. The Government of India approved the KLSSSP and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Kerala on 16 March 2012. The implementation of the KLSSSP commenced during 2011–12.
The establishment of a training institute for strengthening the human capital of the state statistical system is a main objective of ISSP. Accordingly observing the recommendation of the Dr. Rangarajan Commission, a training institute was established in Kerala in 2015. The first training programme at SASA was conducted in January 2015 on the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.
Initially, SASA functioned from a private building located in the semi-urban area of Kattakada Panchayat, about 20 kilometres from the city centre. In 2016, the institute was relocated to another private building within the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation area. During 2016–17, the Government allotted land for the construction of a new building for SASA, and the construction work commenced in 2017–18. By 2020–21, Phase I of the building, up to three storeys, was completed. The new building was inaugurated on 7 September 2021 by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sri Pinarayi Vijayan. Dr Rao Inderjit Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, also attended the function online.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no residential training or other programmes were conducted at SASA during 2020–21 and 2021–22. Training programmes in the new building commenced in 2022–23.