Jammu, Apr 26: Amit Sharma, IAS, Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Ministey of Home Affairs, Government of India, who has been assigned the task of handling census operations of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, yesterday highlighted the roadmap and significance of Census 2027, describing it as a transformative national exercise that will redefine data-driven governance in the country during his keynote address in an important event held in Jammu.

Addressing a special gathering as Chief Guest at a Health Talk organised by Rotary Club Jammu City in association with Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, CPCO Amit Sharma stated that Census 2027 will be India’s first fully digital and paperless Census, aimed at generating accurate, real-time and granular data for effective policy planning and governance.

CPCO Amit Sharma informed the gathering that the Census will be conducted in two phases in J&K, with the first phase of House Listing Operations (HLO) and Housing Census scheduled from June 1 to June 30, 2026, preceded by a self-enumeration window from May 17 to May 31, 2026. The second phase, Population Enumeration (PE), will be undertaken in February 2027, while snow-bound areas will be covered earlier in September  2026 as per notified timelines.

Elaborating on the digital framework, Sharma said that data collection will be carried out through mobile applications equipped with in-built validation checks, ensuring accuracy and consistency. He added that citizens will have the option to participate directly through a dedicated Self-Enumeration portal, making the Census more inclusive, accessible and transparent.

Highlighting the importance of Census data, CPCO Amit Sharma stated that it forms the backbone of governance and plays a critical role in formulation of policies, targeted delivery of welfare schemes and optimal allocation of resources across sectors such as health, education, infrastructure and social development. He noted that reliable data is essential for addressing emerging challenges and ensuring inclusive growth.

Amit further informed that extensive preparatory activities, including freezing of administrative boundaries, development of digital platforms and training of field functionaries, have been completed to ensure smooth conduct of Census operations.

On data security, Sharma assured that robust safeguards have been put in place, including end-to-end encryption, secure transmission protocols and certified data centres designated as Critical Information Infrastructure, ensuring complete confidentiality of individual data under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948 and he requested public not to share any vital information like bank account number, credit card number, PAN, Aadhaar or any other detail other than the answers to questions asked in HLO and PE.

Calling for active public participation, Amit Sharma urged citizens, esp ally all Rotarians in all districts of J&K and Ladakh to create awareness amongst their circles to cooperate with enumerators during field visits and make use of the self-enumeration facility to ensure accurate and complete data collection. He emphasised that Census 2027 will play a crucial role in shaping India’s development trajectory and strengthening evidence-based governance.

Before leaving, the Rotary Club Jammu honoured IAS Amit Sharma for sparing time out of his busy schedule and imparting very relevant knowledge points with the gathering and making them Census literate which is the need of the hour.

Jammu, Apr 26: Strategic sensitivity of border areas calls for strict vigilance and heightened alertness along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range Shridhar Patil has said.

He made the remarks while chairing a comprehensive security and crime review meeting with all supervisory officers at the District Police Lines in Kathua, a police spokesperson said on Sunday.

He asked the officers to maintain strict vigilance and heightened alertness to effectively foil any evil designs of anti-national elements.

Officers were also instructed to ensure robust checking, increased patrolling and seamless coordination with other security agencies to ensure a strong security grid along the border, the spokesman said.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Kathua, Mohita Sharma, gave a detailed presentation outlining the functioning of District Police Kathua, along with a comprehensive overview of the district’s crime and security scenario.

A detailed crime review was also conducted during which the DIG, JSK Range, examined cases registered across Kathua, their investigation status and disposal, and stressed expediting pending investigations while ensuring timely disposal in accordance with the new criminal laws to deliver speedy justice, the spokesman said.

He also reviewed the status of inquest proceedings, absconders, history-sheeters and gangsters, and directed officers to maintain 360-degree surveillance over criminal elements.

He said there was a need to take measures to curb criminal activities, particularly those of organised crime syndicates, to ensure offenders face the full force of law and the public feels safe and secure, the spokesman said.

The DIG also reviewed the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Abhiyan’ and directed strict legal action against drug smugglers and peddlers to curb the menace.

Jammu, Apr 26: Jammu and Kashmir Police have ordered the transfer and posting of 4 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) in the Jammu region with immediate effect in the interest of administration.

According to an order issued by Police Headquarters Jammu, Tahir Amin Sheikh, DSP DAR Jammu has been transferred and posted as SDPO Domana, while Dheraj Singh Katoch, SDPO Border Kathua, has been transferred and posted DSP DAR Jammu.

Similarly, Mudassar Hussain, SDPO Domana, has been transferred and posted as DSP 4 JKAP and will join after expiry of his earned leave, while Karan Kumar, who was serving as DySP CID CI Jammu (JIC), has been posted as SDPO Border Kathua

Jammu, Apr 26: In a push to strengthen the development infrastructure, six strategically located border villages in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district have been brought under the Centre’s Vibrant Village Programme-II, aiming for full saturation of welfare schemes, officials said on Sunday.

The villages – Bobiya, Kadyala, Gajnal, Karol Krishna, Rathua and Gujjar Chak – along the International Border were identified at a meeting chaired by Kathua Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma on Saturday, they said.

Stressing the need for impactful execution, Sharma directed the officials concerned to ensure timely implementation of the finalised plans with regular monitoring and close inter-department coordination.

Highlighting the importance of community participation, Sharma called for the active involvement of local stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the initiatives.

He also instructed the departments concerned to carry out field-level verification, identify the gaps and ensure last-mile delivery of all the flagship schemes.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, on Saturday held a ‘Block Diwas’ programme at Chowkihandan village along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector, which provided a platform to the local public to raise their grievances and developmental issues.

At the event, people from the adjoining panchayats raised a wide range of demands, including additional power distribution transformers and the smooth functioning of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) schemes.

They also called for the construction of school boundary walls and toilets, installation of hand pumps in schools, and the provision of smart TVs to improve educational facilities, the officials said.

The residents also highlighted the need for timely payment under the MGNREGA, clearance of pending material liabilities, and regular supply of LPG cylinders.

They also demanded an adequate supply of seeds to support agricultural activities in the region.

Among the other key demands were the upgradation of the high school in Langar to a higher secondary school, water tanker services, improved sanitation facilities in Nowshera, construction of bunkers, and strengthening Aanganwadi centres to enhance community welfare, the officials said.