Socio Economic & Caste Census 2011
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Even though the computerized Socio Economic & Caste Census is yet to commence in three districts of Meghalaya, the State Government has targeted to complete the Census within March 15.
“We have set a deadline to complete the Census within March 15,” Principal Secretary, Community and Rural Development, KN Kumar, told reporters after a meeting via video conferencing to review the progress of the Socio Economic & Caste Census with the deputy commissioners of all the seven districts on Monday.
He directed all the deputy commissioners to ensure that the Census is completed within the given timeframe.
Though the Census process is yet to commence in the three districts of Garo Hills, there has been steady progress in all the other districts where the Census has already kicked-off.
It was also learnt that the Census, which is being entirely funded by the Centre, will begin in West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills from Tuesday. The operation in East Garo Hills will commence from January 23.
It may be mentioned that there was a delay in starting the enumeration of the ‘paperless’ Census by over a month to determine the families living below the Poverty Line (BPL).
The Government had actually planned to start the process in September last but it could finally start only in November.
“The main reason which led to this delay was the late arrival of the Census,” State Nodal Officer of Census, Free Kharlyngdoh, said.
He also mentioned that the Census operations in East Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills are likely to be completed by January 31 while in West Khasi Hills the same would be concluded by February. In Ri Bhoi, the survey commenced recently.
While the Census within the Municipal areas is being carried out by the respective municipal boards, all other areas are being covered by the block development offices. The Census covers the entire State across seven districts and 39 blocks. The state has about 6,800 villages.
It may be mentioned that the 2002 survey in Meghalaya had several glaring discrepancies, like inclusion of a village’s richest person in the BPL list in one instance. The State Government had to order revision of the Census following several complaints.
The 2002 Census had reported that out of 4,19,672 households, there were 2,05,234 BPL households or 48.90 per cent in the State. East Garo Hills had the highest percentage (55.94 per cent) while the coal-rich Jaintia Hills had the lowest (39.51 per cent).