The Department of Economics and Statistics Himachal Pradesh organized a two-day state-level workshop for field functionaries on the Periodic Labour Force Survey in Shimla on March 12, 2026.
The workshop aims to strengthen the implementation of the survey in the state and generate reliable district-level annual and quarterly estimates of key labour market indicators such as Worker Population Ratio (WPR), Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and Unemployment Rate (UR). These estimates will be prepared by combining survey samples collected by the National Statistical Office with those gathered by the state department.
Launched in April 2017, the Periodic Labour Force Survey is the country’s main survey for generating statistics related to employment and unemployment. It provides regular estimates on labour force participation, employment patterns and unemployment levels, which help in policy formulation, development planning and monitoring government programmes.
Under the survey programme, data will be collected from around 180 rural blocks and 120 urban blocks in the state sample, along with a similar number of blocks under the central sample. Training sessions for field investigators were conducted by officers of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Vinod Rana, Economic Adviser, who emphasized that statistics play a crucial role in evidence-based governance and development planning. He highlighted the importance of accurate data collection and the use of Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) technology for efficient and timely compilation of survey results.
He also appealed to the public and elected representatives of Himachal Pradesh to cooperate with field investigators during the survey and provide accurate information, noting that reliable data is essential for designing effective employment policies and promoting socio-economic development in the state.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
