A government-formed taskforce has recommended renaming the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) as Statistics Bangladesh (StatBD) in a bid to make the national statistical body independent.
It has also proposed creating a "chief statistician" post to head the government statistical body, with appointments made from the open market.
The BBS strengthening taskforce, led by Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), has also recommended forming a council for the new statistical body.
"The chief statistician will be appointed with the support of the council, which will also oversee the work throughout the year," Dr Rahman said on Monday after submitting a draft report to Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud.
The taskforce has made several such proposals. However, despite longstanding calls for an independent statistics commission, the formation of such a commission was not included in the taskforce's recommendations.
When asked about the independent statistics commission, Dr Rahman said it was difficult to answer a one-dimensional question. "This was not part of our initial mandate. We have submitted a bold, timely, and realistic reform package. It will enable BBS to produce authentic and high-quality data."
Dr Rahman added that the taskforce was formed to enhance the quality and transparency of Bangladesh's statistical data. The report outlines how institutional processes should be structured to achieve this.
He also noted that the report includes recommendations on how BBS can collect data, complete surveys, and publish results efficiently.
Regarding the statistical commission, Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said, "Independence has many definitions. The issue is not the commission itself but its accountability and transparency. We have many commissions - such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, Election Commission, and Human Rights Commission - but the question is how transparent and accountable they are."
The main concern is whether these bodies are accountable, transparent, and capable of functioning independently.
Dr Rahman said, "We have submitted the draft report to the planning adviser. It will provide an opportunity for feedback from the ministry, after which it will be finalised."
He added that the taskforce recommended using the regular government budget for surveys and censuses, rather than launching new projects.
"We also suggested harmonising data collection between BBS and other government agencies to ensure accurate GDP and survey data," he said.
Other taskforce members present at the submission included Mohammad Abdul Wazed, former BBS director general; Dr Fahmida Khatun, CPD executive director; Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzak, RAPID chairman; Dr Syed Shahadat Hossain, professor at the Institute of Statistical Research and Training, Dhaka University (DU); Dr Mohammad Mainul Islam, professor at DU's Population Sciences Department; Dr Atonu Rabbani, professor at DU's Economics Department; and Dr Mohammad Yunus, BIDS research director.