Shillong, Oct 29: Chief Secretary Dr Shakil P Ahammed today stressed the need for comprehensive population data for inclusive development, urging officers to ensure every individual is counted in Census 2027.
He was addressing a state-level training conference of Principal Census Officers and senior officers on Phase-II (Population Enumeration) of Census 2027 at the State Guest House, Taraghar.
Ahammed said the census is far more than a headcount, noting that reliable demographic and socio-economic data would help identify gaps in healthcare, education, social welfare, road connectivity and digital infrastructure, and support Meghalaya’s development vision for 2032 and progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.
Highlighting the state’s geographical diversity, predominantly rural settlements and tribal population, he said people in remote areas including Baghmara, Dalu and Ranikor must be covered, warning that incomplete data could leave vulnerable communities outside government programmes.
He also said population data would strengthen investment prospects by providing insights into demographic trends, market potential and youth capabilities, crucial as the state pursues its ambition of building a $10-billion and subsequently $16-billion economy.
The Chief Secretary commended State Nodal Officer, officers of the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) and nearly 10,000 personnel including enumerators for completing the House Listing and Housing Census phase despite challenges.
Commissioner & Secretary and State Nodal Officer for Census, Dr Pooja Pandey, highlighted use of technology in the digital census, saying it would facilitate easier compilation while enhancing accuracy and security, and urged officers to leverage grassroots administration to create awareness.
Deputy Registrar General, ORGI, Vrushali Abhijit Warade gave a detailed presentation on the operational framework, noting that Census of India is the largest administrative exercise in the world and that financial and technical assistance would be provided by the Central Government. She dwelt on questionnaire, concepts and enumeration procedures.
Presentations were also delivered by Joint Director S. Chatterjee, Deputy Directors B. Basumatary and Aibor Sanglyne, and Donbok Syiemsadd of the Directorate of Census Operations, Meghalaya, covering enumeration procedures, Census Act provisions, and digital tools including mobile app, Census Management and Monitoring System, SE Portal and Enumeration Block Creation Portal.
The conference was attended by members of the State-Level Census Coordinating Committee, Commissioners of Divisions, Deputy Commissioners as Principal Census Officers, District Census Officers and other senior officers.
