Anantnag, June 29: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma (IAS), on Monday conducted surprise inspections across South Kashmir, including the Dooru-Verinag and Kokernag areas of Anantnag district, to assess the progress of the ongoing House Listing and Housing Census (Phase-I) under Census 2027.
During the visit, Amit Sharma inspected the house numbering, mapping and digital enumeration process at various locations to ensure strict adherence to the guidelines and notifications issued for the nationwide census exercise. He was accompanied by Census officials, the Executive Officer of Dooru-Verinag Municipal Committee, and other field functionaries.
The CPCO interacted with enumerators and supervisors engaged in the census exercise and obtained first-hand feedback regarding the implementation of field operations, challenges faced on the ground and the overall progress of the first phase of the Census.
Emphasising the importance of accuracy and quality, Amit Sharma instructed field staff to maintain the highest standards of data collection and ensure that every household is covered comprehensively. He appreciated the efforts of the census teams and urged them to continue working with the same dedication during the upcoming Phase-II Population Enumeration, which he described as the most crucial stage of the Census.
Highlighting the significance of the ongoing exercise, Amit Sharma said the Census 2027 is being conducted on a fully digital and paperless platform using scientific methods, making it one of the most important national data collection exercises. He said reliable census data serves as the foundation for evidence-based governance, developmental planning and equitable distribution of public resources.
The CPCO also reassured citizens that all information collected during the Census remains completely confidential. He clarified that, under Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948, census data cannot be shared with any department, agency or individual and is not admissible as evidence even in a court of law.
He cautioned enumerators against even minor errors or conceptual misunderstandings, stating that inaccuracies could adversely affect the quality of census data and long-term policy planning. He directed Charge Officers and Supervisors to carry out regular field inspections and quality checks to maintain data integrity throughout the exercise.
Amit Sharma further instructed officials to ensure complete coverage of all households, including those located in remote habitations, border areas and seasonal settlements, while strictly following the prescribed census guidelines.
The visit formed part of the ongoing monitoring and supervision mechanism aimed at ensuring the successful, transparent and timely completion of Census 2027 across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. (KNC)
