Amit Sharma reviews Census operations in Anantnag

Anantnag, Jun 15: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma on Monday reviewed the progress of the ongoing House Listing Operations (HLO) under Census-2027 during a high-level meeting held at Anantnag.

The review meeting was attended by Deputy Director General, Ministry of Home Affairs and Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI), Biswajit Das, Principal Census Officer and Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, Joint Director DCO J&K Arun Kumar.

Assistant Director Vijay Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner and District Census Officer Vikas Ahlawat, besides other senior officers, charge officers, supervisors and officials associated with the Census exercise.

Addressing the meeting, Amit Sharma described Census data as the “founding pillar” of future development and prosperity, not only for Jammu and Kashmir but for the entire country. He said the Census is the largest administrative and statistical exercise undertaken by the government and serves as the basis for planning, resource allocation and socio-economic development.

Reviewing the progress achieved so far, Sharma appreciated the preparedness of the Anantnag district administration and noted that the district, known for its historical significance and tourist destinations, was making steady progress in the ongoing Census operations.

He stressed the need for maintaining the highest standards of accuracy during data collection and directed enumerators and supervisors to ensure every entry is correctly recorded and thoroughly verified. He cautioned that even minor errors or conceptual misunderstandings could affect the quality of Census data and subsequently influence policy planning and developmental decisions.

The CPCO directed charge officers to ensure regular field inspections and random quality checks by supervisors. He also called for intensified monitoring and strict adherence to Census guidelines and instructions.

Emphasising inclusive coverage, Sharma directed officials to ensure proper enumeration of migratory populations, tribal communities, forest dwellers and other special categories so that no household or individual is left out of the exercise. Given Anantnag’s significance as a destination for seasonal and migratory populations, he said special attention should be paid to their coverage.

During the meeting, Deputy Director General Biswajit Das interacted directly with enumerators, supervisors and charge officers to gather first-hand feedback on the ongoing House Listing Operations. The feedback, officials said, would help improve the upcoming technology-driven Population Enumeration phase scheduled between September 2026 and February 2027.

Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat assured full administrative support for the smooth conduct of Census operations and directed all concerned officers to closely monitor field activities to ensure timely completion of work in accordance with prescribed guidelines and timelines.

Additional Deputy Commissioner and District Census Officer Vikas Ahlawat briefed the meeting on the district profile and preparations for Census-2027. He informed that all House Listing Blocks (HLBs) had been successfully created and demarcated on the CMMS portal and that field operations were progressing smoothly across the district.

He also highlighted the training imparted to enumerators and supervisors, the progress of self-enumeration, awareness campaigns conducted through various Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, and monitoring mechanisms put in place to ensure quality data collection and comprehensive household coverage.

Highlighting the growing role of technology in Census operations, Sharma said digital data collection would improve efficiency, enhance accuracy and strengthen the overall quality of information gathered during the exercise.

The meeting also reviewed training programmes, awareness initiatives, supervision mechanisms and field-level monitoring arrangements aimed at ensuring comprehensive and error-free Census operations throughout the district.

Later, addressing the media, Sharma outlined the progress achieved under the ongoing House Listing Operations and highlighted the extensive preparations being made for the successful completion of Census-2027.

He appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, particularly the residents of Anantnag, to cooperate fully with Census enumerators and provide accurate information, stating that reliable Census data forms the foundation of informed governance, effective developmental planning and equitable distribution of resources.