NEW DELHI:Home minister Amit Shah on Monday said Census 2021, which will be a digital exercise in a break from the ‘pen-paper’ tradition followed thus far, would lay the foundation for mapping welfare and entitlement schemes of the government for next many years and ensuring that the right beneficiaries are targeted.

Emphasising that Census must not be taken as a one-time, monotonous exercise, Shah — in his address at the foundation laying ceremony of the new headquarters of Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner here — said it would lead the nation to development over the next 25 years. He gave the example of 22 welfare schemes of the government mapped based on these Census 2011 figures, including those relating to providing clean drinking water, road connectivity, electricity, opening bank branches or in health and education infrastructure, etc. These include the ‘Ujjwala’ LPG cylinder and 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' schemes.

Such accomplishments can only take place when the process of census is fool-proof and accurate, Shah told the gathering comprising Census officials and staff.

Talking about the use of latest technological developments during the Census 2021, Shah said that the process of a ‘pen-paper census’ would be transformed to a 'digital census’ in the 2021 exercise. Enumeration data would be captured using the mobile app in the enumerator’s phone. Availability of data in digital form would help in its detailed multi-dimensional analysis and utilisation for public welfare, using latest software.

Shah said National Population Register (NPR) would be updated alongside the Census 2021 exercise — with the total budget for both adding up to Rs 12,000 crore. While Shah did not bring up implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) all over India, rules and regulations provide for NPR to be followed by preparation of NRC.

Talking about the future potential of an efficient and scientific digital census process, Shah said it has great future potential and if efficiently done, it can lead to provision of public services through one platform.

While clarifying that no decision had been taken by the government regarding the above, Shah said the future possibilities include linking the census data available in digital format, using special softwares, to various other database like aadhaar, EPIC number, PAN card etc.

“Why can’t birth and death registration be linked to electoral roll updation? If a child’s birth is registered and death not registered until 18 years, can’t he be included in electoral rolls automatically on turning 18?... Similarly, if death is registered by the family, should not the dead voter be automatically be removed from voters’ list,” he asked.

“If Census is properly undertaken and data maintained in digital format, certain software can be developed to include all details in one card....While government has not concretised any plan in this regard, I am apprising you of the potential of Census and NPR exercise,” Shah told, addressing the Census officers and staff.

Shah said National Population Register (NPR) would be updated alongside the Census 2021 exercise — with the total budget for both adding up to Rs 12,000 crore — Shah said this would go a long way in formulating and planning implementation of various welfare and entitlement schemes in the years to come. While Shah did not bring up implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) all over India, rules and regulations provide for NPR to be followed by preparation of NRC.

