Census crucial for accurate planning, policy making: Commissioner SMC

Srinagar, May 13: Principal Census Officer (Urban) and Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Faz Lul Haseeb, on Wednesday said the upcoming Census 2027 will play a decisive role in strengthening governance, improving planning frameworks and addressing long-standing data gaps at the ground level.
Speaking during an inspection visit to ongoing census training centres at Kashmir Government Polytechnic College, Gogji Bagh and Government Women’s College, M.A. Road, the Commissioner, said that supervisors and enumerators are being trained ahead of the nationwide enumeration exercise.
He said the census is being conducted after a significant gap of nearly 16 years. “It is constitutionally held every ten years, the scheduled 2021 exercise was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
He said the government has now directed preparations for the census, with Srinagar actively engaged in multiple training phases.
“Our census is almost after a gap of 16 years. Normally, every 10 years there is a census. In 1951 there was the first census, then in 1961, and the last in 2011. It was supposed to be conducted in 2021, but due to COVID-19 it could not take place. Now in 2026, the Government of India has instructed us to conduct the census,” he said.
The Commissioner said the second round of training for multiple phases is currently underway, with four to five designated locations selected to ensure comprehensive coverage and capacity building of field staff.
“Today we have held the second round of census training for Phase 4, Phase 5, Phase 6 and Phase 7. A large number of participants are attending. We have trained master trainers who will further ensure proper training of all staff so that when house listing begins in June, we get clean and authentic data,” he said.
Stressing the importance of data accuracy, he said reliable census information is essential for addressing governance challenges and improving welfare delivery systems.
“Normally, we face a data crisis. Sometimes we doubt whether data is correct or not. But when census data comes and actual ground position is monitored, we can formulate better policies,” he said.
He added that authentic data is particularly important in welfare-related decisions, including issues such as pension coverage and beneficiary identification.
“For example, if there is an issue of old age pension, we will only get clarity when data is properly verified on the ground. Sometimes we depend on surveys or secondary data, but census data is the most authentic source. This ultimately benefits people and helps in delivering relief where needed,” he said.
On the ongoing training schedule, he said Srinagar is divided into seven urban census phases and the current training cycle is part of structured preparations.
“We have completed Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4. There are seven phases in Srinagar from the urban side. Today is the second day of training. Tomorrow it will be completed, and we may conduct another round so that field staff are fully prepared to work efficiently and accurately,” he said.
He stressed that repeated training is aimed at ensuring enumerators enter the field with clarity, discipline, and accuracy to avoid errors during house listing and enumeration.
During the visit, the Commissioner reviewed arrangements and expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the training sessions.
He appreciated the efforts of officers, master trainers, and staff involved in the exercise.
He was accompanied by City Census Officer Nuzhat Qureshi, along with concerned charge officers, who also interacted with trainees and reviewed preparedness on the ground. (KNO)