Meghalaya gears up for second phase of Census 2027, focuses on digital data collection

Meghalaya has begun preparations for the second phase of Census 2027, with senior government officials reviewing the arrangements for population enumeration and stressing the need for public participation and wider awareness.

A state-level conference of Principal Census Officers and senior officials was held at the Meghalaya State Guest House in Taraghar, Shillong, on October 29. The meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed and attended by Deputy Commissioners, District Census Officers, members of the State Level Census Coordination Committee and other government officials.

The discussions focused on preparations for the population enumeration phase, which will involve extensive data collection across the state.

Ahammed highlighted the importance of census data in planning and implementing government welfare schemes. He asked district officials to step up public awareness campaigns to ensure people understand the significance of the exercise and actively participate in it.

State Census Nodal Officer Pooja Pandey highlighted the use of digital technology in Census 2027, stating that it would make data compilation easier while improving accuracy and security. She also called for the involvement of grassroots administrative institutions to spread awareness about the exercise.

Deputy Registrar General Vrushali Abhijit Warade, from the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, made a detailed presentation on the census process, including the concepts and questions covered in the questionnaire.

She described the Census of India as the world's largest administrative exercise and said the Centre would provide financial and technical assistance to Meghalaya for conducting the enumeration.

Officials from the Directorate of Census Operations, Meghalaya, also made presentations on various aspects of the exercise.

At the conclusion of the conference, Deputy Director Aibor Sanglyne urged district-level officials to take proactive measures to ensure maximum coverage during the population enumeration phase.