UPSC Prelims 2022 Q71: Indian Economy – Government Organizations
In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures,
retrenchments and lay - offs in factories employing workers?
- (a) Central Statistics Office
- (b) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
- (c) Labour Bureau
- (d) National Technical Manpower Information System
Answer: (c) Labour Bureau
Explanation
Who compiles industrial dispute data?
The Labour Bureau, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, collects statistics on strikes, lockouts, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs.
It is headquartered in Shimla and Chandigarh.
| Body | Main data role |
|---|---|
| Labour Bureau | Industrial disputes, closures, lay-offs; CPI for industrial workers (CPI-IW); employment surveys |
| Central Statistics Office (now in NSO) | GDP, Index of Industrial Production, Annual Survey of Industries |
| DPIIT | FDI data, industrial policy, WPI compilation (Office of the Economic Adviser) |
| NTMIS | Data on technical manpower and engineering graduates |
Answer: (c) Labour Bureau.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The CSO compiles GDP and the IIP, not data on strikes and lay-offs.
- (b) Incorrect. DPIIT handles industrial policy, FDI and WPI, not labour disputes.
- (c) CORRECT. The Labour Bureau collects data on disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs.
- (d) Incorrect. NTMIS tracks technical manpower supply, not industrial disputes.
Key point
Labour Bureau (Ministry of Labour, Shimla/Chandigarh) compiles industrial dispute, closure and lay-off data and CPI-IW.
Remember
Strikes, lay-offs, closures data → Labour Bureau.
Common mistakes
- Picking DPIIT because the question mentions industry.
- Thinking the CSO handles all statistics; labour data sits with the Labour Bureau.
- Forgetting the Labour Bureau also publishes CPI-IW, used for dearness allowance.
Exam tip
Match data to agency: Labour Bureau-CPI-IW and disputes; NSO-GDP and IIP; Economic Adviser (DPIIT)-WPI.
Sources
- Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment — Statistics on Industrial Disputes
- Ministry of Statistics and PI — Official statistical system