New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): In response to Opposition allegations concerning the Census, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday clarified that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly assured that the concerns of southern states regarding the delimitation exercise will be addressed appropriately.
The MHA spokesperson posted on X, stating, “Budget has never been a constraint for Census as fund is always ensured by the Govt. HM Amit Shah has clarified on many occasions that in the delimitation exercise, concerns of southern states will be taken care of and discussed with all concerned at an appropriate time.”
The Ministry emphasized that preparations for the 2021 Census were completed, but the exercise was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The aftershock of Covid-19 continued for quite some time,” the post noted.
The spokesperson explained that approximately 30 lakh enumerators, primarily school teachers, are essential for conducting the Census. Conducting it immediately after the pandemic could have severely disrupted primary education. Countries that conducted their Census soon after COVID faced challenges regarding data quality and coverage.
The Government has now decided to start the Census process promptly, targeting completion by March 1, 2027, which will be the reference date for the Census.
The Census will be conducted in two phases and will include caste enumeration. The reference date is set at midnight on March 1, 2027, for most of India. However, for the Union Territory of Ladakh and certain snow-bound regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, it will be October 1, 2026.
Following this announcement, the DMK raised concerns alleging that the Census is scheduled after the proposed delimitation, potentially aimed at reducing Tamil Nadu’s Parliamentary representation.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin stated, “The BJP has now delayed the Census to 2027, making their plan clear to reduce Tamil Nadu’s Parliamentary representation. I had warned about this. It is now unfolding.” He further criticized AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, accusing him of siding with BJP and surrendering to Delhi’s domination. Stalin called for a fair delimitation and clear answers from the Union Government.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticized the delay, tweeting, “There is really no reason to delay the Census, which was due in 2021, for another twenty-three months. The Modi Government is capable only of generating headlines, not meeting deadlines.”
(ANI)
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