Jammu, 21 April (H.S.): To assess the progress of ongoing Census 2027 preparations in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), chaired separate high-level review meetings, here today.

During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary Dr Laltinkhuma Franklin, Nodal Officer for Census 2027 in UT of Ladakh, informed that the requisite funds to Principal Census Officers of UT are expected to be released shortly.

He also apprised that district-level training of Field Trainers will be completed within the notified timelines to ensure preparedness ahead of field operations.

Amit Sharma also reviewed the publicity measures for the upcoming House Listing Operations and Self-Enumeration phases wherein Franklin highlighted that extensive awareness campaigns will be carried out in local languages, with a special focus on community outreach through educational institutions and public engagement initiatives such as quizzes, debates and interactive programmes to maximize participation.

Madan Gopal Sharma, Nodal Officer for Census 2027, informed that funds have been released to most of the Principal Census Officers, with the remaining to be released shortly upon receipt of past expenditure details.

Emphasizing timely execution, Amit Sharma directed that all financial processes be completed expeditiously to ensure smooth field operations.

During the meeting, it was also discussed that identification of dignitaries like LG, CM should be done well in-advance so as to promote Self-Enumeration and the progress of registration of field functionaries on the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal was also discussed in a threadbare manner.

It was also decided that Departments such as School Education and Higher Education should be actively engaged through quiz competitions, debates and outreach initiatives to ensure dissemination of Census information across all regions of the UTs.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar