Ludhiana: The first phase of Digital Census-2027, focusing on houselisting and housing, is scheduled to commence on May 15. However, officials are currently irked by a surge of exemption requests from employees across various departments. Officials clarified that exemptions are strictly limited to election duty staff—as Summary Imperial Revision (SIR) activities are set to accelerate—and employees with over 50% disability. Despite these clear criteria, a significant number of staff members are attempting to avoid the task, citing various personal excuses to the authorities.Administrators require over 4,500 employees to complete the survey, yet they have only managed to compile a list of approximately 2,700. This scarcity persists even as personnel from the Municipal Corporation (MC), education, forest, horticulture, and GST departments are mobilized. An MC official noted the logistical strain of running the census alongside SIR activities, particularly since Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were exempted from census duties. Despite financial incentives—Rs 6,500 for the first phase and Rs 8,500 for the second, plus expenses—willingness remains low. To bridge the gap, authorities are now considering involving Asha workers, following the induction of Anganwari workers. Teachers, in particular, are reluctant as the duty overlaps with their summer holidays.Personal Pleas & Jurisdictional HurdlesOn Wednesday, the flow of exemption requests intensified. One employee sought a favor claiming his pregnant wife could not conduct door-to-door surveys in the current weather, while another cited his wife’s physical unfitness for the task. In response, MC officials redirected these applicants to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, stating they lack the competency to alter duty rosters. The reluctance also extends to the upcoming training sessions, which many employees are reportedly unwilling to attend despite their mandatory nature.A Digital MilestoneNotably, the Census-2027 marks the first time the process will be conducted entirely digitally. The training programme is designed to emphasize updated digital tools, data collection techniques, and standardized procedures to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and transparency. Participants are being oriented on household listing operations, data validation protocols, and the use of handheld electronic devices. Furthermore, the sessions place a special focus on respondent interaction guidelines, ensuring inclusivity, maintaining data confidentiality, and strictly adhering to the prescribed timelines for this massive data-gathering exercise.MSID:: 130308022 413 |
