Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Seeks Punitive Action Against 436 Teachers for Census Training Absence
In a significant development, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Chanchal Rana has formally written to Census Director Nikhil Pawan Kalyan, seeking authorization to initiate appropriate disciplinary measures against 436 teachers. These educators failed to attend the mandatory training sessions designated for the upcoming Census 2027 exercise.
Training Initiative and Teacher Designations
The training program, which commenced on March 19, is being conducted in multiple phases to prepare personnel for the critical national census. The teachers in question were specifically selected from data provided by the School and Mass Education Department. They were assigned crucial roles as enumerators and supervisors for Census 2027, with BMC officials emphasizing the importance of their participation in the preparatory sessions.
Despite repeated personal contacts and requests from municipal authorities, none of the 436 teachers reported for the training. BMC Deputy Commissioner Priyadarshini Jena confirmed that despite multiple appeals, the educators remained absent, disrupting the planned training schedule.
Legal Grounds for Proposed Action
The commissioner's letter to the Census director cites specific legal provisions to justify the proposed punitive action. According to the communication, the teachers have committed an offense under Section 11(1) of the Census Act, 1948. Furthermore, the letter references Census Rule 1990 (Section 5(3)), which explicitly permits action against defaulters who fail to fulfill their census-related duties.
"They have committed offence under Section 11(1) of the Census Act, 1948. As per Census Rule 1990 (Section 5(3)), action can be taken against the defaulters," the official correspondence states, highlighting the legal framework supporting the municipal corporation's request.
Implications for Census 2027 Preparations
This development raises concerns about the preparedness for Census 2027, as enumerators and supervisors play vital roles in data collection and management. The absence of nearly four hundred fifty trained personnel could potentially impact the efficiency and accuracy of the census operation in the Bhubaneswar region.
The BMC's move underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating training compliance for the national census. The municipal corporation now awaits the Census director's response to proceed with appropriate punishment against the defaulting teachers, which could set a precedent for census-related disciplinary actions nationwide.
