Hi-tech biometrics aid to make 2011 Census foolproof
AR, Para-military forces to be roped in for second phase in Feb
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 01 2010: With the first round of Census exercice for 2011 finalised, use of biometrics technology is on the card in the second round to prevent recurrence of the problems/controversies that marred the exercise in the first round.

The second round is due to commence from February next year and the Assam Rifles and other Central Paramilitary forces would be extending assistance in the Census exercise.

According to an official source, use of biometric system has been mooted by the Government following records of abnormal growth of population in the some hill areas in the first round of the exercise which began from June 1 .

First citizen of India, President Patil registers for the Census drive (R) the biometrics device

At the time of conducting the head counts with use of biometric system, the finger prints of all the ten fingers of an individual would be taken and the fingerprints of an individual taken by a enumerator in the field can be instantly transmitted directly to the server in New Delhi.

Over and above use of biometric system, taking the photographs of the individual concerned at the time of recording his/her particulars has also been mooted in the second round of the Census exercise.

To help in the exercise, the Government has decided to use the service of Assam Rifles and other Central Paramilitary forces, the source disclosed, adding that the conduct of the exercise would be much more stringent and more detailed in controversial areas.

On the other hand, in the first round of the Census exercise, an increase of upto 144 percent has been detected in places like Mao-Maram, Purul and Paomata of Senapati district and the rate of increase in the population in Chandel district is also relatively higher.

In Thanlon sub-division of Churachandpur district, which had 87 villages earlier has now dwindled to 62 villages after inhabitants of 25 villages migrated to Churachandpur town for good.

Though head counts of the overlapping villages in both the valley and the hill districts have been completed, under which district the accumulated figures would be added has not yet been decided.

In the head counts at Sagang village which is in the revenue record of Bishnupur but pay the Hill House tax to Churachandpur, an increase of 18 percent population has been detected when the exercise was conducted by Bishnupur while only 3 pc was detected when the same was conducted by Churachandpur.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh is learnt to have given strict instruction to all concerned to ensure that the discrepancies noted in the first round were not repeated in the second round of the Census exercise.