The Development of Statistics and Accounting in Kalmykia during the Prewar Period (1930s)

Abstract

The article deals with the development of planning and statistics offices during the period of imminent threat of war which revealed the need to restructure the entire system of government bodies and institutions. Thus, in December 1939 local public authorities were created in Kalmykia. These elections marked the final stage in the creation of all public authorities under the Constitution of the Kalmyk ASSR and the 1937 RSFSR Constitution. As a result, 13 district (ulus) councils, 1 town, 3 village and 121 rural councils of Workers Deputies were elected. The main responsibility of the state and local planning commission was drafting plans for the development of national and local economy and the verification of compliance with these plans. The State Planning Commission of the KASSR was organized as follows: a chairman was to be appointed by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Kalmyk ASSR, a deputy chairman and other members were to be appointed by the Council of Ministers of the Kalmyk ASSR. They provided a guidance and monitored the activity of State Planning Committee departments as well as organized procedures in accordance with the approved provision of the Council of Ministers of the Kalmyk ASSR concerning the State Planning Committee. During 1930-1940s the Regional Planning Commission was not only a planning agency but the entity engaged in government statistics and accounting on the territory of the region. With the aim to carry out these functions two sections were created Planning and Economic Section and Statistics Section which consisted of the following groups: Exchange and Industry Statistics, Agricultural Statistics as well as Labour and Social Statistics.