New Delhi, May 19 (H.S.): The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Monday took cognisance of a complaint related to the census process and issued a notice to the Government of Punjab.

The complaint was submitted by Hardeep Singh Gill, Vice-Chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, to NCSC Chairperson Kishor Makwana.

The complaint alleged that derogatory terminology was used in the census documentation in reference to the Valmiki community, causing resentment among members of the community.

Taking note of the sensitivity of the matter, the Commission initiated prompt action and issued notices to the concerned departments.

The NCSC has directed the Director of Census Operations, Punjab, and the Principal Secretary of the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Government of Punjab, to submit an action taken report within 15 days.

NCSC Chairperson Kishor Makwana stated that protecting the honour, rights, and dignity of Scheduled Castes remains the Commission’s highest priority. He added that further action will be taken based on the reports and responses received from the authorities.

It is noteworthy that the first phase of the socio-economic and caste census is currently underway in Punjab. Under this exercise, officials are conducting door-to-door surveys covering housing conditions, amenities, and asset-related information through a 33-question questionnaire.

The first phase, which includes house listing and housing census, is divided into two parts. While self-enumeration was completed online, field-level data collection by officials has been ongoing from May 15 to June 13.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar