Census is not just numbers, forms basis for govt plans, make it a success: TN CM urges people

Chennai, Jul 17 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday appealed to the people to involve themselves in the digital population count, as it formed the basis for government's future programmes. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar called upon the people to participate in the self-innumeration as it is one of the country’s most significant national data collection exercises. Appealing to the people to make the self-enumeration exercise a success by providing truthful information, the Chief Minister said the census was not merely about numbers but it formed the basis of the government programmes. The hundred percent digital census 2026, which commenced today, is first in India to be conducted entirely in digital mode, using specialised applications and web portals for collecting and recording data. “The important Census for implementing the future development plans of our state began today. This is not just a number, the information you provide forms the basis for all the plans of the government. Therefore, every family should provide truthful information,” the Chief Minister said in a post on ‘X.’ “You can do the self-enumeration online – I have registered,” he said. Vijay further said that the information uploaded by the public will be “kept confidential.” “Let’s all work together to complete this (census exercise) successfully. Census is for the benefit of the people,” the Chief Minister stressed. Governor Arlekar said the census is aimed at generating comprehensive, accurate and reliable demographic, social, economic and housing data to support evidence-based policy making, effective governance and inclusive development. “For the first time in the history of the Indian Census, citizens have been provided with the facility of self-enumeration through a secure online portal and mobile application, enabling households to conveniently furnish their census information online,” a Lok Bhavan release quoting the Governor said. “Make full use of this facility and complete the self-enumeration as a shared national responsibility and to participate wholeheartedly in this landmark exercise,”the Governor urged. According to the Director of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu, Sundaresh Babu, the field operations will be carried out from August 1 to 30, involving over 1.5 lakh personnel who would undertake door visits. The precise data was vital for socio-economic development of the state and for formulating a robust public policy, he stressed. “India’s first digital census marks a historic milestone that will significantly enhance data accurancy and speed up progressing times. Replacing traditional paper schedules, dideciated mobile applications will be used for real-time data collection, streamlined by an integrated online platforms – the Census Monitoring and Management System,” a PIB release said. The self-enumeration facility allows the citizens to securely fill in their details online and can be done till July 31. All households in the state are encouraged to complete their self-enumeration by visiting the official portal: https:e.census.gov.in/ The submitted information will be directly integrated into the official national database and hence the public is requested to ensure utmost accuracy of details, the release said. The present exercise marks the eighth since Independence. The previous census was taken in 2011. PTI JSP JSP ROH