SRINAGAR, MAY 11: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday chaired the 3rd meeting of the UT Level Census Coordination Committee in Srinagar to review preparations for the initial phase of Self-Enumeration and House Listing activities for Census 2027 across Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasised the need for extensive training programmes for enumerators and supervisors to ensure accuracy and reliability in data collection. He said well-trained field staff would be crucial for maintaining the credibility of the census exercise.
He directed that formation and demarcation of House Listing Blocks (HLBs) be completed in advance to ensure a smooth and error-free enumeration process. He also called for close monitoring at district and charge levels to avoid delays and ensure full preparedness on the ground.
Highlighting the importance of public participation, Dulloo stressed the need for coordinated awareness campaigns involving multiple departments to encourage citizens to actively participate in the Self-Enumeration process beginning May 17.
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, also reviewed training requirements and stressed that multiple rounds of training should be conducted, particularly for enumerators and supervisors, given the sensitive nature of the exercise. He further directed that no household, especially in remote and hilly areas, should be left out during the enumeration process.
Director Census Operations J&K and Ladakh Amit Sharma gave a detailed presentation on the progress of training, formation of HLBs, staff deployment, publicity plans, and administrative readiness.
Officials informed that thousands of field functionaries have been trained across districts, with further training programmes underway. A total of 27,784 field staff, including enumerators and supervisors, have been approved for deployment in the Union Territory.
It was further informed that over 24,000 House Listing Blocks have been created, with more than half already geo-tagged and demarcated. Administrative corrections and boundary updates from districts have been forwarded to the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India for approval.
A comprehensive awareness campaign will be launched using print, electronic, and digital media, along with mobile vans, exhibitions, and community outreach programmes in multiple languages including Urdu, Dogri, and Gojri.
The meeting was also informed that Self-Enumeration for VVIPs will begin on May 17, marking the official start of the campaign, followed by a 15-day thematic outreach programme involving various sections of society.
District administrations have been instructed to involve Panchayati Raj Institutions, CSCs, educational institutions, and local bodies to facilitate 100 percent participation in the census exercise.
