The Chandigarh administration has initiated a door-to-door houselisting drive after receiving a lackluster response to the self-enumeration process. The self-enumeration phase, which allowed residents to fill out their household details online, saw minimal participation, prompting authorities to shift to physical enumeration.
Background of the Houselisting Exercise
The houselisting exercise is a crucial precursor to the national census, aimed at collecting data on housing conditions, amenities, and household characteristics. The Union Territory of Chandigarh had launched the self-enumeration option to facilitate convenience and reduce physical contact, especially in the wake of the pandemic. However, the response was far below expectations, with only a small fraction of households completing the online forms.
According to officials, the self-enumeration portal was open for several weeks, but the uptake remained tepid. Many residents cited lack of awareness, technical glitches, or simply not finding the time to fill out the forms. As a result, the administration decided to deploy enumerators to cover all households in the city.
Door-to-Door Drive Underway
The door-to-door houselisting began on Monday, with trained enumerators visiting each household to collect data. The process is expected to continue until the end of March 2024. Enumerators are equipped with tablets to record responses digitally, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. They will ask questions about the type of house, number of rooms, access to basic amenities like water and electricity, and other household details.
The administration has urged residents to cooperate with the enumerators and provide accurate information. Officials have assured that the data collected will be kept confidential and used solely for planning and policy purposes. The exercise is being conducted under the supervision of the Directorate of Census Operations, Chandigarh.
Challenges and Measures
One of the major challenges faced during the self-enumeration phase was the lack of digital literacy among certain sections of the population. Many elderly residents and those from lower-income groups found it difficult to navigate the online portal. Additionally, some households reported issues with the website's functionality, such as slow loading times or errors in form submission.
To address these concerns, the administration has set up help desks in various parts of the city and deployed volunteers to assist residents. However, the low response rate forced the authorities to revert to the traditional door-to-door method, which is more time-consuming but ensures comprehensive coverage.
Officials have also emphasized the importance of the houselisting exercise for accurate census data, which is used for resource allocation, policy formulation, and planning of public services. They have requested all residents to participate actively and provide complete and correct information.
The door-to-door drive is expected to cover all residential areas, including slums and unauthorized colonies. Enumerators will carry official identification cards and will follow COVID-19 protocols, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance. Residents are advised to verify the identity of the enumerators before sharing any information.
In case of any queries or grievances, residents can contact the control room set up by the administration. The helpline numbers are available on the official website of the Chandigarh administration.
The successful completion of the houselisting exercise will pave the way for the population enumeration phase of the census, which is scheduled to begin later this year. The data from the houselisting will also help in updating the National Population Register (NPR).
