Thiruvananthapuram: Skipping Census to invite trouble

Thiruvananthapuram: Non-cooperation of some residents with the ongoing Bharat Census 2021 pre-test is becoming a major challenge for enumerators who are on the field collecting data ahead of the deadline set by the Centre. With only a month left to complete the Census, the City Corpor-ation has decided to take it up with the district administration to initiate action against individuals refusing to cooperate with the pre-test Census by not divulging details.

The civic body has got several complaints from enumerators on bad behaviour and non-cooperation from residents. An official said that disrupting pre-test Census proceedings is an offense under Census Act 1948. “We have handed over the complaint to the district collector who is the principal Census officer for initiating action against such people. Legal action will be taken against such individuals,” said the official.

The pre-test, which has been launched at selected five Corporation wards would be completed by September 30. Kuriyathi, Kalippankulam, Kamalaswaram, Pazhanchira and Ambal-athara are the five wards chosen for pre-test Census. Thiruvananthapuram is among the three districts chosen from the state for the pre-test census.

Malappuram and Pathanamthitta are the other districts where pre-test Census is going on. The pre-test Census data is being collected using application on the mobile platform, which makes it different from the previous Census.

The phase I of the pre-test Census focuses on preliminary data collection and list of houses. The data collection would cover details of houses including materials used for construction and information on those living at respective houses will also be collected. The phase II of the pre-test Census would be based on information of individuals in each family.