Census operation postponed

SHILLONG/NEW DELHI: The census operation scheduled to begin on April 1 has been postponed in the state in view of coronavirus pandemic.
An official from the General Administration Department confirmed that the exercise has been suspended.
Accordingly, the operation will now be conducted from May 1 to June 14.
Necessary training and sensitisation programmes had already begun for the exercise slated for April 1 to May 15.
Meanwhile, taking cue from the Meghalaya government, the Centre in all probability will postpone the census exercise and updation of the National Population Registrar in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
The state may not be able to spread its manpower on twin fronts — countering coronavirus and managing the census operation — the government had said during a video conference with the Home ministry.
Other states also made similar plea which was accepted by the Centre, the sources added.
The population  census will have two phases.
In the first phase, house listing and house census will be done and in the first 30 days, the census data will be updated while additional 15  days will be utilised for the updation of National Population Register.
One enumerator will be assigned to cover a population of around 800.
The enumerators will be drawn from government employees.