Kohima, March 12 (MExN): A briefing session on Census-2027 was held at the State Banquet Hall, Chief Minister’s Residential Complex, Kohima on March 11.
The session was attended by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Ministers T.R. Zeliang and Y. Patton, and Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Sharingain Longkumer along with several Cabinet Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly. Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha, Director of Census Operations Dr Zasekuolie Chusi, Commissioner Nagaland Gregory Thejawelie and other senior bureaucrats were also present. Representatives from various political parties and party functionaries attended the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Rio stated that Census-2027 would be a significant exercise for the state. He noted that the decadal population growth rate of Nagaland has shown inconsistencies when compared with the national average and urged elected representatives and political party leaders to help correct such discrepancies through responsible leadership.
He also pointed out that inflated census data has led to complications in areas such as Aadhaar coverage and school enrolment figures, and stressed the importance of avoiding multiple entries during census enumeration. Referring to Nagaland as a predominantly Christian state, Rio appealed to participants not to take pride in wrongful practices or unhealthy competition but to uphold honesty and integrity in the conduct of the census.
Delivering the welcome address, Sentiyanger Imchen highlighted the importance of conducting an accurate census in the state. He said reliable census data is crucial for planning and implementing government projects and developmental initiatives, and thanked the Chief Minister for taking the initiative to organise the briefing session.
Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha presented an overview of Census-2027, followed by a detailed presentation by Director of Census Operations Dr Zasekuolie Chusi on the methodology, processes and challenges involved in the census exercise.
Chusi appealed to the gathering to strive for a clean and accurate census by avoiding the enumeration of duplicate individuals and any deliberate inflation of population figures. He stated that such practices undermine the integrity of socio-economic data collected through the census and distort information required for planning and implementation of government schemes and programmes. He added that the census is not merely a headcount exercise but an important source of data required for policy formulation and developmental planning.
The session was followed by a discussion during which questions were raised and clarifications provided. Among those who participated were Rio, Zeliang, Minister for Roads & Bridges Kaito Aye, Advisor for School Education & SCERT Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome and MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Commissioner Nagaland Gregory Thejawelie.
