The process of data collection and maintenance of Block level statistics was initiated in Assam in the year 1952 with the creation of Panchayat and Community Development Department. Accordingly, an Administrative Intelligence Unit was set up in the Directorate during the year 1957 with the aim to keep records of infrastructural development of different sectors of the Block and functioning in co-ordination with the Directorate of Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Assam. At the initial period, information of a very few need based statistical indicators pertaining to implementation and achievements of various development programmes were collected to meet immediate data needs of rural development planning. From 1990, DES Assam is collecting data for Block level statistics independently and continuously.