Associated News Bureau

Ladakh Set to Become First State/UT to Complete Census 2027 House Listing by September 2026: Amit Sharma

Kargil, June 19: Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director of Census Operations for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, on Friday said that the Union Territory of Ladakh is on course to become the first State or Union Territory in the country to complete all Census-related work by September 2026. Sharma made the announcement while chairing a comprehensive review meeting on the ongoing House Listing Operations (HLO) for Census 2027 at the Conference Hall in Baroo, Kargil. The meeting was attended by Assistant Director Vijay Kumar, District Census Prabhari Sadique Hussain, Additional District Development Commissioner Kargil Ghulam Mohd, Chief Planning Officer Kargil K. Mohd Hussain, Charge Officers from various tehsils and the Kargil Municipal Committee, along with supervisors and technical staff associated with the Census exercise. Welcoming the CPCO, the Additional District Development Commissioner highlighted the district administration's commitment to the successful conduct of the Census, while the Chief Planning Officer presented a detailed status report on the ongoing Census activities in Kargil. Addressing the meeting, Amit Sharma said that Ladakh is expected to complete the Census process by September 2026, with October 1, 2026, at 0000 hours designated as the reference date for Census figures in the Union Territory. Describing the Census as one of the country's most significant national exercises, Sharma said that reliable Census data forms the foundation for evidence-based governance, developmental planning and equitable allocation of resources. He reiterated that information collected during both phases of Census 2027 is protected under Section 15 of the Census Act, 1948, and cannot be shared with any agency, department or individual, nor is it admissible as evidence in a court of law. Reviewing the progress of Census operations in Kargil, Sharma appreciated the district administration's preparedness, noting that conducting the exercise across Ladakh's vast mountainous terrain, scattered habitations and remote border villages requires meticulous planning and coordinated execution. He stressed the need for maintaining the highest standards of accuracy in data collection and directed enumerators and supervisors to ensure every entry is carefully recorded and thoroughly verified. He cautioned that even minor errors or conceptual misunderstandings could compromise the quality of Census data and affect long-term policy formulation. Sharma also directed Charge Officers and Supervisors across Ladakh to undertake regular field inspections and quality checks to preserve data integrity. He called for strict adherence to Census guidelines and comprehensive coverage of all households, including those in remote habitations, border areas and seasonal settlements. The meeting also reviewed training programmes, public awareness initiatives, supervisory mechanisms and field-level monitoring arrangements aimed at ensuring comprehensive and error-free Census operations across Kargil district, with particular emphasis on covering migratory populations residing in the higher reaches. Later, Sharma briefed the media on the progress of the ongoing House Listing Operations and highlighted the extensive preparations being made to ensure the timely, accurate and smooth completion of Census 2027. He appealed to the people of Ladakh, particularly the residents of Kargil district, to extend full cooperation to Census enumerators by providing accurate information, stating that robust Census data is vital for inclusive development and informed future planning. ANB