Jammu is gearing up for Census 2027 with the deployment of over 1,200 enumerators across Jammu city. Dr. Devansh Yadav, Commissioner of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), emphasized the importance of this exercise, highlighting its role in enhancing government welfare schemes and strengthening service delivery. Citizens are encouraged to actively participate in the enumeration process, which is being conducted after a gap of fifteen years.
The census, (Yadav clarified) is not linked to validating citizenship or legal residency. He urged the public not to perceive the exercise as a threat to their status as citizens, assuring them that the data collected would be used solely for developmental purposes. The focus is on accurately assessing the population and socio-economic conditions to better implement government programs.
As per information available with TahirRihat.com, Jammu city, with an estimated population of around eight lakh, comprises seventy-five wards and approximately fifteen outgrowth areas, including several slum areas. Teams from the JMC, consisting of more than 1,200 enumerators, will be responsible for conducting the census throughout these regions.
A self-enumeration window will be open from May 17 to May 31, allowing citizens to upload their household details on the official census portal. The registration process will utilize a one-time OTP-based system. (Yadav explained) that self-enumeration would streamline the data collection process when JMC teams visit houses in June, as the information submitted online can be automatically accessed, reducing the time required and minimizing the potential for errors.
All Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have been designated as “census ambassadors” to raise awareness about the census in their respective constituencies. This initiative aims to ensure that all residents are informed about the process and its benefits, encouraging widespread participation.
The month-long field exercise, scheduled from June 1 to June 30, is designed to ensure complete coverage. The JMC has established helpline numbers for residents to contact if census teams fail to reach their locality. Intensive training sessions are being conducted for the enumerators to ensure the smooth implementation of the census. An additional round of training is planned before the commencement of field operations.
The data collected during the census will be kept confidential and used solely for the implementation of government welfare schemes. (Yadav clarified) that the information would not be linked to income tax or any other law. The June exercise will focus on houselisting, while the actual population census is scheduled for February of the following year.
Approximately 50,000 awareness slips are being distributed door-to-door to educate people about the census process and to encourage participation. The JMC is actively working to disseminate information and address any concerns or misconceptions about the exercise.
(Replying to a query, the commissioner stated) that caste-related and socio-economic details would also be collected during the census. This information will include details on the availability of electricity, the type of house (‘pucca’ or other), and the presence of amenities such as refrigerators, televisions, and two-wheelers. This data will be used to assess the socio-economic conditions of households and to inform policy decisions.
Addressing concerns about awareness in remote areas and apprehensions among people regarding sharing personal information, (Yadav emphasized) the crucial role of the media in countering misinformation and fake news. He urged the public to trust the process and recognize its importance for national development.
To build public confidence, senior political leaders, judges, and top officials will participate in self-enumeration. This initiative aims to demonstrate the credibility and trustworthiness of the census process, encouraging citizens to actively engage and provide accurate information.
(Clarifying doubts regarding citizenship, Yadav reiterated) that the census exercise is not linked to validating citizenship or legal residency and is purely an assessment of the current situation on the ground. He said that individuals staying in a place for the past six months and expected to continue their stay for the next six months should be counted accordingly.
An advisory has been issued, urging people to use only the official census website for self-enumeration and to avoid opening suspicious links received through SMS or other platforms. (Yadav cautioned) that no payment of any kind is required for self-enumeration and only an OTP will be used for registration. He asked people to share only verified and secure official links in the public domain.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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