The Lok Sabha today passed the Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017.The Bill seeks to extend its jurisdiction to Jammu and Kashmir for the collection of statistics pertaining to subjects under the Union or the Concurrent list of the Constitution as applicable to the State. <br/><br/>The subjects include citizenship, education, banking, labour and forests. It allows the central government to determine the manner in which such information collected will be used, for statistical purposes. The Bill also provides for the appointment of a nodal officer to coordinate and supervise statistical activities under the government. <br/><br/>Replying to a debate, Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Sadananda Gowda said, stringent provisions have been made in the bill for protection of the collected data.He also rejected the allegations that the bill is in violation of article 370 which provides for special status to Jammu and Kashmir .<br/><br/>The Minister said, earlier some legislations have also been passed by the Centre extending jurisdiction to the State and hence the question of violation do not arise. He said, the collection of data is essential for various programmes and schemes run by the Centre in the State. Mr Gowda also said, the Centre will launch a labour survey to ascertain the status of unemployment in the country.<br/><br/>The play was a unique blend of all the elements of theatre, which not only made the play a visual delight for the viewers but also inspired the artists and performers with its intrinsic message.