Special arrangements for Gujjar, Bakarwal, nomadic communities: Amit Sharma
RK News Service
Jammu, May 19: More than 1.50 lakh households across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have completed their Self-Enumeration exercise within the first three days of its launch under Census 2027 through the official Self-Enumeration portal se.census.gov.in, Chief Principal Census Officer and Director Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, IAS, said on Tuesday.
Describing the public response as highly encouraging, Sharma said that citizens across urban, rural, hilly, and far-flung areas are actively participating in India’s first fully digital and paperless Census exercise.
Addressing the media alongside Zakir Nazeer, Media and Communications Officer, PIB, Jammu, Sharma informed that all districts of the Union Territory are showing enthusiastic participation, with far-flung districts including Kulgam, Baramulla, and Kupwara, besides remote areas of the Jammu division, witnessing remarkable public participation during the initial phase, reflecting growing awareness and confidence among citizens regarding the digital Census process.
The Director said the strong response reflects the success of extensive awareness campaigns, media outreach, district-level mobilisation, and citizen facilitation mechanisms established by the Directorate of Census Operations and district administrations.
Sharma gave detailed information regarding special arrangements being put in place for coverage of migratory and nomadic tribal populations across the Union Territory, including Gujjar, Bakarwal, and other nomadic communities.
“No person from the tribal or migratory population would be left out of the Census enumeration exercise,” the Director assured, stating that dedicated operational mechanisms are being devised in coordination with various departments, including the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, School Education Department, Tribal Affairs Department, and Sheep Husbandry Department.
Special deployment plans for Enumerators and Supervisors are being prepared for remote, hilly, and migratory routes so that tribal and migratory households residing in difficult geographical locations are fully covered.
The Director reassured that the Self-Enumeration portal and Census mobile applications have been specifically designed to function effectively even in difficult terrain and low-connectivity environments, with offline and synchronisation-based mechanisms incorporated so that enumeration activities can continue smoothly even in areas where internet connectivity may not be consistently available.
Sharma appealed to all residents to complete their Self-Enumeration within the notified timelines and furnish correct, clear, and transparent information for the generation of reliable data essential for governance, welfare schemes, infrastructure planning, and developmental policy formulation.
He clarified that all information collected during Census operations remains completely confidential under the Census Act, 1948, and reiterated that no bank account details, PAN details, financial transaction information, or similar sensitive personal information are collected during the Census exercise.