Anantnag, Jun 29: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director of Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma on Monday conducted surprise inspections in South Kashmir to review the progress of the ongoing House Listing and Housing Census (HLO), the first phase of Census 2027.
During his visit to the Dooru-Verinag and Kokernag areas of Anantnag district, Sharma assessed the implementation of house-listing and housing census operations and interacted with field functionaries to obtain first-hand feedback on the progress of the exercise.
He was accompanied by Census officials, the Executive Officer of the Dooru-Verinag Municipal Committee and members of his team.
As part of the inspection, Sharma reviewed house numbering, mapping and enumeration activities at various locations to ensure that field operations were being carried out in accordance with the guidelines and notifications issued from time to time.
The Census chief conducted random inspections at several locations in Dooru-Verinag and Kokernag to assess the pace and quality of the ongoing Phase-I exercise.
He also interacted with enumerators and supervisors engaged in the Census operations and sought feedback on field-level implementation, challenges encountered and the overall progress of the exercise. The interactions focused on ensuring the accuracy, completeness and timely completion of the enumeration process.
Sharma urged the field staff to maintain the same level of dedication during the second and more critical phase of the Census — Population Enumeration (PE).
Emphasising the importance of high-quality data, he advised enumerators and supervisors to continue their work with diligence and remain fully prepared for Phase-II to ensure a smooth transition to the next stage of Census operations.
He said the Census is being conducted on scientific lines through a fully digital and paperless system for the first time, adding that the data generated would serve as the foundation for future development planning and policy formulation.
The visit formed part of the ongoing monitoring and supervision mechanism to ensure the successful conduct of Census operations across Jammu and Kashmir.
Describing the Census as one of the country’s most important national exercises, Sharma said reliable Census data forms the basis for evidence-based governance, developmental planning and equitable distribution of resources.
He also clarified that all information collected during both phases of Census 2027 is legally protected and cannot be shared with any outside agency, government department or individual. He said the data is also inadmissible in a court of law, as provided under Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948.
Stressing the need for precision, Sharma directed enumerators and supervisors to ensure every entry is recorded accurately and thoroughly verified, cautioning that even minor errors or conceptual misunderstandings could affect the quality of Census data and have long-term implications for policy planning.
He also instructed Charge Officers and Supervisors to conduct regular field inspections and quality checks to maintain data integrity. Sharma called for strict adherence to Census guidelines and directed officials to ensure comprehensive coverage of every household, including those located in remote habitations, border areas and seasonal settlements.
