Now,a helpline to answer Census-related queries

Directorate officials said the decision to start the helpline was taken when several enumerators and supervisors communicated their problems to senior officers. While some enumerators expressed difficulty in understanding the area layout plan provided by municipal bodies,others claimed that people were not ready to reveal certain details like ownership of assets,among other things.

“The public as well as the enumerators may call on our helpline from any part of the state. Those who have missed the headcount should inform us and we would convey the message to the authorities concerned,” said Pradeep Kumar,Joint Director,DCO.

“Even as the survey for the first phase of Census completes on June 30,the helpline would be active till March 2011,when the second phase of census is completed. Compilation of data collected in the first phase will be done in between the two phases,” Kumar added.

The first phase of the decennial exercise began in Uttar Pradesh on May 16. Besides family profiling for the National Population Register (NPR),house listing and house census will be done during these 46 days.

“Enumerators and supervisors were trained in the Census process before the start of the first phase. But they faced problems in the field as some people refused to answer certain queries,” said another DCO official.

The 71 districts in the state have been divided into 3.52 lakh enumeration blocks,with each covering 125 to 150 houses.

The house listing and housing census is being done on a set of 35 questions relating to building material,civic services and possession of assets. The family profiles are being prepared on the basis of 14 questions relating to family members and their education qualifications.

The Centre also has a similar helpline (tollfree no. 1800-345-0111) to answer all Census-related questions.