Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam kicks off its 16th census on August 2. The state is moving to a digital format for the first time. Citizens can now submit household details via a smartphone app or a dedicated web portal. This self-enumeration window stays open through August 16. Officials say the platform supports 16 languages, including Assamese, to boost participation.
Deputy Commissioner Gayatri Devidas Hailing announced the Dima Hasao district will start the physical House Listing and Housing Census after August 16. Meanwhile, the state-wide rollout faces minor hurdles. Two flood-hit districts in upper Assam are currently exempt from the immediate start. Director of Census Operations Biswajit Pegu confirmed the timeline at a press conference in Janata Bhawan.
The exercise covers 35 districts, 166 sub-districts, and 26,236 villages. Phase two, the official Population Enumeration, arrives in February 2027. This stage tracks social, economic, and educational stats to guide state policy. Field workers will also conduct a formal Housing Census from August 17 to September 15. They will track assets, amenities, and living conditions.
The questionnaire includes 33 specific inquiries. Questions range from drinking water sources and kitchen access to LPG and PNG connections. Officials have already trained 59 Master Trainers to manage the flow of data. Pegu promised total privacy for every participant. "All information collected during the Census would remain strictly confidential and would not be shared with any individual or agency," he said.
The government will store all files at the National Data Centre. Residents needing help can call the toll-free number 1855. Authorities want everyone to provide clear and honest answers. Accurate data drives future funding for schools, hospitals, and roads.
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