• UGI USER
  • Jul 30, 2024
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ANY FURTHER DELAY IN CENSUS TAKING IS PERILOUS

source:www.jagranjosh.com

Relevance: GS 2 – Governance, GS 1 – Indian Society

Context

  • The 2021 Census has been delayed due to the failure to extend the deadline for freezing administrative boundaries.
  • Originally scheduled for 2020, the Census is now significantly postponed without a clear timeline.

Importance of the Census

Data for Policy Making:

  • Essential Data: Provides demographics, economic status, social indicators for informed policy-making.
  • Resource Allocation: Critical for schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Administrative Functions:

  • Fundamental Data: Helps delineate constituencies, plan infrastructure, and deliver public services.
  • Reservation Policies: Important for identifying welfare scheme beneficiaries.

Challenges of Delaying the Census

Administrative and Logistical Issues:

  • Disruption: Delay hampers preparations like pre-testing, staff training, and logistics.
  • Budget Cuts: Reduced budget from ₹8,754 crore to ₹3,096.46 crore complicates execution.

Impact on Data Accuracy:

  • Outdated Data: Delays lead to unreliable data, affecting policy formulation.
  • Policy Efficacy: Government policies may rely on incomplete information.

Policy and Planning:

  • Developmental Policies: Crucial for education, healthcare, housing, and employment.
  • Fund Allocation: Disrupts financial planning and resource distribution.

Economic Implications:

  • Economic Planning: Affects investment decisions and economic strategies.
  • Labor Market: Crucial for understanding employment patterns.

Impact on Governance and Accountability:

  • Governance: Updated data essential for tracking progress and addressing issues.
  • Accountability: Stakeholders need up-to-date information for evaluating programs.

Specific Concerns:

  • Tamil Nadu: Delimitation delay due to Census postponement.
  • Readiness: Clarifications needed on practical steps for Census readiness.

Recent Developments and Clarifications

Census Preparations:

  • Measures Taken: Drafting questionnaires and planning logistics despite budget cuts.
  • Concerns: Reduced funds may affect comprehensiveness.

Clarifications from NPR:

  • Sequential Approach: NPR updating to follow House-listing and Housing Census.
  • Accuracy: Incorporating birth, death, and migration changes is crucial.

Potential Solutions and Future Directions

Technological Integration:

  • Digital Collection: Enhance efficiency with digital data collection and mobile apps.
  • GIS: Streamline logistics with geographic information systems.

Public Awareness Campaigns:

  • Education: Campaigns to highlight Census importance and encourage participation.
  • Collaboration: Work with local bodies and community organisations.

Capacity Building:

  • Training: Equip staff with skills and knowledge for effective data collection.
  • Institutional Strengthening: Handle logistical and administrative challenges.

Policy Coordination:

  • Central-State Coordination: Align Census operations with broader policy goals.
  • Timeline Establishment: Avoid further delays with a clear timeline.

Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Comprehensive Data: Engage with various stakeholders for accurate data collection.
  • Partnerships: Collaborate with academic institutions and research organizations.

Improved Data Accessibility:

  • Transparency: Ensure data is accessible to policymakers, researchers, and the public.
  • User-Friendly Platforms: Develop platforms for easy data access and understanding.
Quotations

  • N. Rama Rao, Former Deputy Registrar General: “In the absence of a Census after 2011, critical data for planning and development is lacking, affecting policy decisions at all levels.”
  • Census Expert: “Delaying the Census hampers the government’s ability to plan and allocate resources effectively, impacting developmental policies.”

Broader Implications

Geopolitical and Security Considerations:

  • National Security: Accurate data essential for security measures and strategies.
  • Planning: Delays affect execution of security plans at national and regional levels.

Social Equity:

  • Inequality: Crucial for addressing issues of inequality and marginalization.
  • Support: Delays hinder support for vulnerable populations.

Environmental Planning:

  • Sustainable Development: Accurate data essential for environmental planning.
  • Policy Implementation: Delays affect environmental initiatives.

Public Health:

  • Healthcare Planning: Vital for resource distribution and crisis management.
  • COVID-19: Absence of updated data posed challenges during the pandemic.

Education Planning

  • Resource Allocation: Informs educational planning and infrastructure development.
  • Disparities: Delays impact ability to address educational needs.

Urban and Rural Development

  • Development Planning: Crucial for addressing regional needs.
  • Resource Allocation: Delays hinder development projects.

Conclusion

Timely Census execution is critical for governance and policy-making. Addressing challenges and ensuring robust preparations can provide reliable data for India’s development.

Mains Question

Discuss the implications of delaying the Census in India. How can the government address the challenges to ensure timely and accurate data collection? (250 words)

Source: The Hindu