The much-awaited first Union Budget after the 2024 General Elections has again disappointed those keenly interested in governance and public policy. The lack of adequate allocation for the population census, which should have been completed by 20202021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, raises serious concerns. The PM Narendra Modi-led NDA government, often criticised by opposition parties as a 'No-Data-Available' administration, has shown little interest in conducting the mandated exercise, even though life has returned to pre-COVID conditions.
The population enumeration exercise was introduced by the British in India in 1881 to understand the vast, diverse society by counting people, caste, linguistic groups, professions, etc.
The census provided comprehensive basic statistics on the state of human resources, demography, culture, and economic structure and also contained sensitive numbers of caste and linguistic groups among people. With such a detailed report, the British were able to rule the region for nearly two centuries. The report was instrumental in British national, military, and economic policy framing and decisions.
Post-Independence, the Government of India decided to avoid counting caste details but continued to enumerate SC/ ST populations to allocate their representation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, a practice later extended to Panchayati Raj seats. Since then, the Government of India and various state governments have relied on the population census for major decisions regarding reservations, linguistic matters, the upliftment of tribes and vulnerable groups, and economic planning. In 2011, the UPA government conducted a detailed Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), which counted each caste and their socio-economic status, but the data was not released due to reported methodological errors.
This story is from the August 30, 2024 edition of Millennium Post Delhi.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 30, 2024 edition of Millennium Post Delhi.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Modi unveils Rs 3,800 crore railway, highway projects, launches Odisha's Subhadra Scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday marked 100 days of his third term in office by launching several major projects in Odisha, worth over Rs 3,800 crore.
J&K: 7 districts to vote in 1st phase today
After a decade-long gap, the first phase of Assembly elections is set to take place on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir, marking the first such exercise since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
SC halts 'bulldozer justice' till October 1 without its permission
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a temporary nationwide halt on property demolitions until October 1, 2024, expressing deep concern over the potential misuse of demolition powers by authorities.
Kejriwal steps down; Atishi to become Delhi's youngest and third woman CM
The political landscape of Delhi has shifted dramatically with Arvind Kejriwal's resignation as Chief Minister, paving the way for Atishi to assume the role.
Mamata appoints Manoj Verma as new Kolkata CP; DC, 2 health officials moved
Swapan Soren has been made the new Director of Health Services
PM Modi to visit US from Sept 21 to 23 for Quad, UN summits
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a three-day visit to the United States from September 21 to 23, 2024, focusing on key diplomatic engagements and community outreach.
SC closes criminal proceedings against 30 Army men in 2021 botched Nagaland op
In a significant relief to 30 Army personnel, the Supreme Court on Tuesday closed criminal proceedings initiated against them by the Nagaland government over the alleged killing of 13 civilians in a botched anti-militancy operation in Mon district in 2021.
Announcement of census very soon': Amit Shah
Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday that the government will \"very soon\" reveal plans for conducting the long-awaited national census.
Antibiotic resistance predicted to kill 39 million in next 25 yrs: Lancet study
Antibiotic resistance occurs when drugs designed to kill infectious bacteria and fungi become ineffective, as these pathogens evolve and develop resistance
Man held from Bengal 15 yrs after killing friend in Delhi over alcohol
The Delhi police arrested a 39-year-old man from West Bengal, 15 years after he allegedly killed his friend for not giving him money to buy alcohol, police said on Tuesday.