Pune: Providing false information or refusing to share census details may invite legal action, census officials have reiterated, emphasizing that participation in the exercise is mandatory under the Census Act, 1948. Door-to-door house listing commenced on May 16 in Maharashtra, and authorities have stressed strict compliance with legal provisions.
Legal Obligations Under Census Act
Officials stated that under Section 8 of the Census Act, 1948, individuals are legally bound to answer the 33 notified questions truthfully and to the best of their knowledge. "Refusing to provide information or giving incorrect details is an offence under the Act," they said. Any person who does not cooperate with census officials or refuses to answer questions may face legal action as per the law. Additionally, under Section 9 of the Census Act, the head of the household must permit access and allow the affixing of numbers on the house.
Self-Enumeration Phase Completed
Officials confirmed that the self-enumeration phase of the upcoming census has been completed in Maharashtra, with households submitting details through the digital platform ahead of field verification. This process is expected to improve data accuracy and reduce the workload during the door-to-door enumeration phase. However, those who could not complete the process will be covered through house visits by enumerators.
More than 11 lakh households across Maharashtra completed self-enumeration between May 1 and May 15, according to data from the Registrar General and Census Directorate. Pune district recorded the highest number of self-enumerated households in the state, with 1,53,568 households completing the online process. Officials attributed the strong response in urban districts to increasing digital adoption and awareness about the census. Among other districts, Nagpur recorded 37,534 completed self-enumerations.
Verification Process
Heads of households that have completed the online process must share their self-enumeration ID — an 11-digit number beginning with the letter H — with enumerators during field visits to facilitate verification and completion of data collection.
