J&K gears up for Census-2027 enumeration in snow-bound areas

Jammu Tawi, August 8: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday reviewed preparations for the second phase of Census-2027, involving population enumeration in snow-bound and otherwise inaccessible areas of Jammu and Kashmir, and directed officials to ensure complete and error-free coverage.

Chairing the Union Territory Level Census Coordination Committee meeting, Dulloo directed district administrations to appoint Enumerators and Supervisors against additional charges and prioritise personnel with technological proficiency. He also stressed comprehensive training on the digital applications, questionnaire and prescribed protocols.

Director, Census Operations, J&K and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, presented the operational blueprint, including deployment, training, technology and public outreach arrangements. He informed that self-enumeration through the official Census portal will be available from August 17 to 31, followed by door-to-door enumeration from September 1 to 30.

The Census Moment will be 00:00 hours on October 1, 2026, while a revisional round will be conducted from October 1 to 5.

Phase-II will cover 95 Administrative Charges and 4,146 tentative Enumeration Blocks across snow-bound areas. The exercise will use the ‘Census 2027–PE’ mobile application and Census Management and Monitoring System for real-time monitoring.

Dulloo called for intensive public awareness campaigns, timely payment of honorarium and close monitoring of field operations. He stressed a zero-omission approach to ensure every eligible household and individual is covered.

Officials said hyperlocal outreach through media, community radio, social media, transit branding and mobile announcement vehicles would be undertaken to encourage participation.

The government appealed to residents in designated areas to cooperate with Census personnel and make maximum use of the self-enumeration facility.