Associated News Bureau

Census 2027 Review in Kupwara: Amit Sharma Stresses Accuracy, Public Cooperation and Vigilance Against Cyber Fraud

KUPWARA, JUNE 16: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, on Tuesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting in Kupwara to assess the progress of the ongoing House Listing Operations (HLO) under Census 2027 and urged citizens to remain vigilant against cyber fraudsters exploiting the census exercise. The meeting, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex in Kupwara, was also attended by Principal Census Officer and Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, along with senior district officials and officers associated with the census exercise. Addressing the meeting, Amit Sharma cautioned the public against cyber criminals attempting to obtain sensitive information such as bank account details, credit card numbers and other personal data under the pretext of Census 2027 activities. He appealed to citizens to remain alert, report suspicious incidents to the police and contact the Census Helpline at 1855 for prompt action. The Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara presented an overview of the district’s preparedness and progress in implementing Census 2027. Reviewing the ongoing operations, Sharma appreciated the district’s performance in self-enumeration and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities. Emphasising the importance of data integrity, the CPCO directed enumerators and supervisors to maintain the highest standards of accuracy during data collection and verification. He said even minor errors or conceptual misunderstandings could adversely affect the quality of census data and future policy planning. Describing Census 2027 as the country’s largest administrative and statistical exercise, Sharma highlighted its significance in governance, developmental planning, resource allocation and socio-economic policymaking. He instructed charge officers to ensure regular field inspections, random quality checks and strict adherence to census guidelines. The meeting also focused on ensuring comprehensive coverage of migratory and seasonal populations. Officials were directed to meticulously document migration patterns and collect details of all eligible tribal populations and individuals to ensure inclusive and accurate enumeration. Sharma further noted that the adoption of digital data collection methods would enhance operational efficiency and improve the quality of information gathered during the exercise. Deputy Commissioner Kupwara assured full administrative support for the smooth conduct of census operations and directed concerned officers to closely monitor field activities to ensure timely completion of the exercise. Later, Amit Sharma and Deputy Commissioner Shrikant Balasaheb Suse briefed the media on the progress of the ongoing House Listing Operations in Kupwara district and outlined the extensive preparations being undertaken to ensure the successful completion of Census 2027. Appealing for public cooperation, Sharma urged residents of Kupwara as well as the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to provide accurate information to census officials, stating that reliable census data forms the foundation of informed governance, equitable resource distribution and effective developmental planning. He also reiterated that all information collected during Census 2027 is protected under Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948, and remains strictly confidential, assuring that it cannot be shared with any agency or individual. Among those present at the meeting were Joint Director, DCO J&K, Arun Kumar; Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Gulzar Ahmad Khan; ADC Handwara, Javed Naseem Masoodi; Assistant Director DCO J&K, Vijay Kumar; Chief Planning Officer Kupwara; Assistant Commissioner Revenue Kupwara; Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Lolab and Karnah; charge officers and other officials associated with the ongoing census exercise. ANB