In the national capital, 82% of the census houselisting work has been completed, but enumerators are encountering a significant challenge: reluctance from certain groups to participate. These groups include migrants, occupants of unauthorised settlements, and owners of residential buildings with multiple rented units. Their hesitation stems from preconceived notions and misplaced fears that individual census data could be used against them.
Confidentiality Under the Census Act
Under the Census Act 1948, individual data collected during the census is strictly confidential. Only aggregated data at various administrative levels is made public. This ensures that people can provide accurate housing and individual information without fear of it being shared with law enforcement or regulatory bodies. Accurate datasets are crucial for evidence-based planning, policy formulation, and targeted welfare interventions.
Challenges Across Districts
Officials involved in the houselisting phase, which ends in Delhi (MCD area) on June 14, reported that refusal to participate cuts across all districts, including East Delhi, Northwest Delhi, Northeast Delhi, Southwest Delhi, and Outer Delhi. A senior census functionary attributed this to a half-baked understanding of census rules and procedures. To address this, authorities are conducting awareness activities such as nukkad natak (street plays) and dialogues involving district administration and community leaders.
Some migrants are unwilling to enumerate following the special intensive revision (SIR), which resulted in nearly 5.2 crore deletions in Phase 2. Many migrants retain Aadhaar and electoral roll entries in their native places or have settled in authorised colonies in Delhi. They fear losing documentation from their home state or facing action for squatting. Additionally, owners of private houses in unauthorised colonies and areas like Mukherjee Nagar, where many students live in poor conditions, fear penalisation by tax or civic authorities.
Access Issues in Large Complexes
Another challenge is entering large residential complexes where owners reside with many tenants. Owners often insist that the entire building be recorded as a single household comprising only their immediate family, denying enumerators access to rented rooms. In some cases, enumerators face threats. Census staff are engaging with owners to convince them, and in some instances, civil defence volunteers accompany enumerators for safety.
With ten days left in the houselisting phase, census authorities have instructed enumerators to revisit reluctant sections to reassure them about data privacy and emphasise that 100% coverage of Delhi's over 46,000 enumeration blocks is essential for future policy interventions. While some have been convinced, others remain stubborn.
An official noted that similar challenges likely occurred in previous census exercises. The percentage of unwilling participants is not significant, but the goal is always to cover 100% of households with minimal errors.
