Gangtok, October 8 (IPR): Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Mr R. Telang, chaired a state-level meeting at Tashiling Secretariat today to review preparations for Phase II of Census 2027.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Home Department, Mr Tenzing T. Kaleon, Director of Census Operations, Sikkim, Mr Karma R. Bonpo , Heads of Departments, District Collectors from all six districts , Additional District Collectors, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Principal Census Officers, and senior officials from the Directorate of Census and other departments.
The meeting reviewed preparations for India’s first fully digital Census, which will be conducted through a mobile application with emphasis on 100 per cent coverage. Questionnaires this time are more detailed , particularly with regard to migration and economic activity. Discussions focused on manpower, training, IT infrastructure, field-level coordination, data collection, verification and public awareness.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed District Collectors to ensure proper planning for urban areas, adequate training facilities, close supervision and intensify awareness campaigns. He emphasised that Census data forms the basis for government policies and schemes and called for the highest standards of accuracy and quality.
He highlighted the crucial role of district administration in ensuring high-quality data through effective supervision by District Collectors. He also assured that additional manpower requirements for urban areas would be examined on priority.
The Chief Secretary stressed the importance of comprehensive training for enumerators and supervisors, noting that the success of Census operations would ultimately depend on effective field-level execution.
The meeting also emphasised accurate data collection, identification and verification at the village and Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) levels, including GMC level. It was clarified that elected representatives and political executives would not be involved in Census data collection or verification in order to maintain the impartiality of the exercise. Final data clearance and validation will be undertaken by the Census Office.