DODA: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director, Directorate of Census Operations, J&K and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, today visited Doda and chaired a review meeting on Census-2027 at Doda, to assess the preparedness and progress of Population Enumeration in the district.
The meeting was attended by Principal Census Officer (Deputy Commissioner) Doda. Krishan Lal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (District Census Officer) Anil Kumar Thakur, Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah. Sunil Kumar Bhutyal, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Additional District Census Officer Vijay Kumar, Charge Officers, field trainers, supervisors, enumerators and other officials associated with the Census-2027 exercise.
During the meeting, CPCO Amit Sharma reviewed the overall progress of census preparations. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, completeness and reliability during data collection. He directed the enumerators and supervisors to ensure that every entry is correctly recorded, cross-checked and verified, stressing that accurate census data is vital for effective policy formulation, planning and delivery of public services.
The CPCO called for intensified awareness and publicity campaigns through newspapers, pamphlets, social media, local influencers, social activities and other available communication platforms. He directed the District Census authorities to ensure that residents of snow-bound and difficult-to-reach areas are adequately informed about the Population Enumeration phase scheduled from September 1 to 30, 2026, so that complete coverage is achieved.
Amit Sharma also directed the Charge Officers and supervisors to undertake regular field visits, inspections and random quality checks. He stressed strict adherence to census guidelines and called for special attention towards migratory populations, tribal communities, forest areas and other special categories, ensuring that no eligible household or individual is left out of the enumeration process.
The meeting also took up the technical challenges being faced by field functionaries. It was informed that mobile devices used for Population Enumeration are required to meet prescribed technical specifications, including minimum 8GB RAM and Android version above 13. The issue of enumerators and supervisors having devices below the required configuration was discussed for appropriate resolution.
Principal Census Officer Doda Krishan Lal assured full administrative support for the smooth conduct of Census-2027. He directed all concerned officers to closely monitor field activities and ensure timely completion of all census-related work in accordance with the prescribed timelines, guidelines and instructions issued by the Directorate of Census Operations.
Additional District Census Officer Vijay Kumar briefed the meeting on the district-wise preparations and progress. He apprised the CPCO of the Census-2027 schedule for J&K, including Phase-I and Phase-II, review of administrative units in District Doda and the progress of House Listing Operations conducted from June 1 to 30, 2026. The meeting also reviewed charge-wise progress of HLO, the deployment of census functionaries, preparations for Population Enumeration, training of enumerators and supervisors and identification of snow-bound villages and blocks.
The CPCO directed the field functionaries to closely monitor migration routes and ensure enumeration of all eligible tribal populations and other mobile communities. He reiterated that coordinated field-level efforts are essential to achieve comprehensive, accurate and error-free census data.
The meeting also reviewed training programmes, awareness campaigns, supervision mechanisms, Self-Enumeration and field-level monitoring arrangements.
Amit Sharma called for coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to ensure that Census-2027 is conducted efficiently, transparently and with the highest degree of accuracy across Doda district.
