G.K. Vasan, 44, MoS (Independent charge), Statistics & Programme Implementation

Result: 4/10

Son of Tamil Maanila Congress founder late G.K. Moopanar, G.K. Vasan took over the portfolio on January 29, 2006, but had less than a handful of public appearances in the role.

HIS BRIEF

The CMP promised strict monitoring of funds for poverty alleviation and rural development projects to prevent delays.

His deliveries

• New Consumer Price Index (urban) data collection has begun, should take off by 2010.

• A permanent National Statistics Commission set up

Reforms derailed

• Failed to arrive at a new definition of poverty, which means the Centre still relies on a 1973 consumption basket to identify the poor.

• Index of Industrial Production remains in the stone ages—doesn’t capture mobile phone production, for instance.

• National Academy of Statistical Administration mooted in 2006, but hiring began only this March.

• Had promised to merge the Central Statistical Organisation and the National Sample Survey Organisation into a National Statistical Office in 2006, but there’s still no sign of it.

What was he thinking?

In January 2009, he told NRIs: “India today is a resilient economy unaffected by the global economic meltdown, thanks to the caution exercised in implementing economic reforms. The investment climate in the country in general is at its best today...”

LOW POINT

While visiting Vasan’s ministry, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said the Programme Implementation division should ideally be under the Planning Commission, like it was till 1999.

... contd.