Jaipur, Aug 3 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Secretary, V. Srinivas, on Monday reviewed the progress of Census 2027 at the Directorate of Census Operations, praising officials for the successful completion of the House Listing and Housing Census and directing them to expedite preparations for the second phase of the nationwide exercise, scheduled for February 2027.

Chairing a high-level review meeting, Srinivas commended the Directorate’s statistical team for maintaining high professional standards and underscored the critical role of reliable data in evidence-based governance and policy-making.

The Chief Secretary said the House Listing and Housing Census, the first phase of Census 2027, has been successfully completed across the state.

He directed officials to accelerate administrative and logistical preparations for the Population Enumeration phase, which is scheduled to begin in February 2027.

Highlighting the importance of updated statistical data, Srinivas referred to recent deliberations of the National Demographic Change Committee and said reliable data on population, agriculture and economic indicators forms the foundation of transparent and effective policymaking.

He noted that Rajasthan has emerged as one of the country’s leading states in statistical management, crediting the Directorate of Economics and Statistics for its robust database systems and regular publication of statistical reports.

The Chief Secretary directed officials to expedite the revision of District Census Handbooks and Administrative Atlases in view of the significant increase in the number of districts, tehsils and sub-divisions in Rajasthan.

He stressed that wider adoption of digital technologies and geospatial tools would improve planning and facilitate more effective implementation of government schemes at the grassroots level.

During the meeting, it was decided to organise a workshop on the use of geospatial and digital technologies before August 17 to strengthen the Directorate’s technical capabilities ahead of the next phase of the Census.

Srinivas also appreciated the contribution of statistical investigators and officers, saying the statistics cadre plays a vital role in translating census data into public welfare policies.

He later planted a sapling on the Directorate premises as part of an environmental conservation initiative. The meeting was attended by Secretary, Department of Statistics, Dr Ravi Kumar Surpur, Director of Census Operations Bishnu Charan Mallick, and other senior officials and statistical investigators.

–IANS

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