India today pitched for global consensus on economic growth to combine equity and social justice and also for evolving a decisive political sytems to benefit all citizens. Addressing the 4 th World Forum of Organisation for Economic Coperation and Development, the Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Mr. Srikant Jena urged Statiticians to meet the challenges posed by developmental and governance concerns by providing accurate statistics.

Mr. Jena said, India hosting the Conference assumes great importance in view of various challenges faced by countries in a fast changing socio-economic environment. The Minister said, measurements of poverty and inequalities are vital for functioning of democracies across the globe.

Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, said, the UPA Government's development strategy has worked well in India with initial estimates suggesting 2 per cent decline in the incidence of poverty during 2011-12, the terminal year of the 11th Five Year Plan.

Chairing a themed session, Planning Commission Member Abhijit Sen stressed on the need to reduce inequalities and poverty to ensure inclusive economic growth.

AIR correspondent reports, over 800 delegates from 150 countries are participating in the four day OECD World Forum in New Delhi. The World Forum is expected to evolve ways to improve the quality of life, gender equality, ensure welfare of minorities and combat poverty and unemployment across the globe.