A screenshot of a media report regarding GDP growth statistics during Dr Manmohan Singh’s tenure has been circulated, claiming that the NDA government removed the report from its website for political reasons. However, the report, dating back to 2018, was relocated to the National Statistical Commission (NSC) section, which had commissioned it. A disclaimer clarified that the data were unofficial estimates and the methodology was still under development. The NDA government had also changed the GDP base year from 2004-05 to 2010-11. The back series report used this new base year to estimate UPA-era growth rates. Hence, the report was removed due to its unofficial status.
Sharing the screenshot on X (Formerly Twitter) propaganda account @1vinci6le/@B5001001101 wrote. “56 Inch? Or leggings?”
56 Inch? Or leggings? pic.twitter.com/5EMk0kiRT5
— Брат (@B5001001101) January 22, 2025
Several other users and Influencers have also reacted and disseminated the claims. Their posts can be seen here @Amaan_mbs, @JohnSalvin39309.
The truth behind the claims, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the screenshots and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the report. We found that the removal of the report was not related to any political rivalry.
To verify the claims made by propagandists. We performed relevant keyword searches and found media reports (1, 2) regarding the news. The screenshot is from a 2018 report. The report, which controversially estimated a 10.1% GDP growth rate in 2006-07, was relocated from the Ministry of Statistics website to the section for the National Statistical Commission (NSC), which had commissioned the study.
A disclaimer was also added, clarifying that the committee led by economist Sudipto Mundle had submitted a draft report for public consultation and that the NSC did not necessarily endorse the report’s views, data, or contents. The back series GDP data, which indicated a 10.08% growth rate in 2006-07 under the UPA govt, were not official estimates.
The NSC stated that the methodology for back-casting GDP series was still under development and had not been finalized. Consequently, the report was removed. The NDA govt changed the base year for GDP calculation to 2010-11 from 2004-05 — the benchmark used by the UPA. The back series GDP growth report extrapolated figures for the UPA tenure using the changed base year.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the removal of the report was not related to political rivalry.
2872
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 22, 2025
ANALYSIS: Distorted
FACT: A screenshot of an old media report regarding GDP growth statistics during Dr. Manmohan Singh's tenure has been circulated, claiming that the NDA government removed the report from its website for political reasons. (1/5) pic.twitter.com/FKRhJW2CgG
Intent
Propaganda accounts are circulating old reports without providing the actual context to set their narrative.
Conclusion
Claim– The report regarding GDP growth statistics during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure was removed by the NDA government from its website for political reasons.
Fact– The GDP report was moved, marked unofficial, and removed because its method was not final after the NDA changed the base year.
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