Hindustan Times 27.03.2010
For census, BMC officials learn to handle mob violence
As the civic body prepares to survey the city to prepare the census for 2011 from May 1, it will also train the officials to deal with mob-like situations especially in slums.
This year census will also gather information required to prepare a national population register and issue a Unique Identification Card.
According to the data issued by the civic body there are 28,906 house blocks (one house block = 150 houses), which will need to be surveyed.
“We will need 31,797 enumerators to carry out the census, since one person will have to visit 150 homes. And 5,299 supervisors will be required to supervise the process,” said Municipal Commissioner, Swadheen Kshatriya.
The training of the staff will begin in April.
“The enumerators will be authorised under the census Act (9 and 10) and the citizenship Act to carry out the process,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner, Manisha Mhaiskar.
Under the census Act the citizens are required to give correct information to the enumerator and also allow him to make markings on the wall of their house.
“If the citizens don’t cooperate there is a provision in the Act which states that they can be penalised and a fine can also be levied,” added Mhaiskar.
The survey is important, as the Centre had decided to issue these cards after a high power committee had suggested it to deal with illegal immigration into the country as it was posing a serious threat to national security.
Infosys co-chairman Nandan Nilekani is the chairperson of Unique Identification Authority, formed to issue IDs to every citizen in the country.
Retired civic officials can also be a part of the process.
Every official will get Rs 5,500 a month.
