Section 17. Grant of statistical abstracts

17. Grant of statistical abstracts.—[2] [Subject to the provisions of section 15, the Census Commissioner or any Director of Census Operations] may, If he so thinks fit, at the request and cost (to be determined by him) of any local authority or person, cause abstracts to be prepared and supplied containing any such statistical information as can be derived from the census returns for[3] [lndia or any State], as the case may be, being information which is not contained in any published report and which in his opinion it is reasonable for that authority or person to require. 4 [17A. Power to extend the provisions of Act to other operations.— The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, extend the provisions of this Act, with such restrictions and modifications as it thinks fit, to pre-tests, pilot studies, census of houses which precede the population count and post enumeration check and evaluation studies or statistical surveys or any other operation as may be deemed necessary for the purpose of census.]