| Introduction: Briefly explain about Census. Body: Explain criticism and effects of delay in census data Conclusion: Conclude by highlighting its importance. |
A population Census is a process of collecting, compiling, and analysing the socio-economic, religious, linguistic, and economic data of all people in the country. Census 2021 has been in the news because it has been postponed until further notice on account of the Covid pandemic. Census in India has been a regular exercise that is carried out every 10 years by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Census of India Act of 1948 provides a legal framework for carrying out the census but does not mention the timing or periodicity.
What criticism is associated with Census
- Exclusion of caste data: While the census usually contains details of a person’s occupation, language & religion it still not uses caste details which have become major criticism of this exercise.
- Cumbersome Process: The process involves a huge support staff, the involvement of teachers, and months-long data collection. A large amount of paperwork is collected which becomes difficult to analyse. The process also becomes long due to the large size of India, and immense diversity in geography and culture.
- Huge cost: Heavy cost is incurred by the Union Government for conducting the census.
- Incorrect information: Due to illiteracy, or people fearing loss of benefits of schemes tend to furnish false information which leads to a wrongful analysis of data collected.
- Inadequate training for enumerators: There is a lack of professionalism in collecting information as there is inadequate training, and workshops to train them.
- Delayed release of data: There is a delay in the release of data due to political reasons, resource crunch, or pandemic-like events which hampers policy making.
What are the effects of the delay in the release of data?
- Policy Paralysis: Underutilisation and Non-utilisation of data leads to delays in policymaking and inefficient use of resources.
- Alternative Surveys: The government both at the centre and in states conducts alternate surveys to analyse the socio-economic situation of the nation. It helps them in policy making but it makes census data redundant.
- Lack of nuanced approach: There is a lack of interest in the exploration of census data beyond demographic information. There should be a focus on examining the data on various attributes like education, health, profession, consumer durables, and ownership of land.
Conclusion:
The census is the backbone of every statistical intervention which caters to planning, execution, and policy making. Step like making Census 2021 digital is a good step that will reduce delay in the final report and will help to enrich our understanding of demography with the census holding its relevance in the changing world.
