ABOUT US
SASA is designed to function as the centre of excellence for research in official statistics and training to the personnel of Statistics department.
SASA aims to promote the development and dissemination of statistical knowledge and to contribute to the development of statistical system in Kerala. The SASA organizes and conducts various training programmes from the basics to the advanced levels on statistical knowledge, theories and skills for the statistical personnel, other researchers and to the 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.
Observing 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 provided a strategy for reforms and revamping the official statistical system of the state. The Government of Kerala signed the Letter of Participation on 7th May 2008 and decided to launch the KLSSSP as a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The estimated project cost was Rs.1499 lakh. The government of India approved the KLSSSP and signed a MoU with the Government of Kerala on 16.03.2012 and implementation of KLSSSP started during the year 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 in SASA was conducted in January 2015, which was on the Collection of Statistics Act 2008.
Initially, SASA functioned in a private building located in the semi-urban area of Kattakada Panchayat, which is about 20 kilometres from the heart of the city. Later in 2016, the institute was relocated to another private building in the city premises of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. In 2016-17, the Government allotted land for the construction of a new building for SASA. In 2017-18, the construction work of the new building started. In 2020-21, the work of Phase I up to 3 stories was completed and the new building was inaugurated on 7th September 2021 by Hon'ble CM Sri. Pinarayi Vijayan. Dr. Rao Inderjit Singh, hon'ble Central Minister of Independent Charge for the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation also attended the function online.
Due to Covid-19 pandemic, no residential trainings and other programmes were conducted in SASA during 2020-21 and 2021-22. Training programmes in the new building started from 2022-23.