Centre urged for census based on biometric data: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 05 2022: Chief minister N Biren informed on Friday that the state government is pressing the central government to conduct the Census, scheduled this year, in the state based on biometric data collection technology as counting of population based on Aadhaar has become unreliable.

Replying to a question raised by MLA K Ranjit regarding the population census on the last day of the Assembly, Biren mentioned that due to Covid-19 pandemic, population Census due in year 2021 remains postponed.

No particular date and month for conducting Census is finalised yet, and will only be decided by Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, he stated.

N Biren further conveyed that a letter has been submitted to the Union home minister regarding the modalities of the conduct of Census in respect of Manipur.

Previously practiced paper mode along with electronically generated mobile app may be used this time for Census, he added.

In his supplementary question on the issue, MLA Ranjit observed that as the delimitation process for four states including Manipur will be based on Census report, the government must ensure that the exercise is conducted flawlessly.

Moreover, the 2011 Census report was filled with discrepancies, including reports that in some hill areas, even dog, pig shelters have house numbers and fishes have names, he claimed and queried whether or not employees involved in the faulty census exercise would be penalised.

Responding to MLA Kh Joykisan's question on buying and selling of land, N Biren said that there is restriction in sale and purchase of land in the state and explained that the decision was taken with the implementation ILP system.

Responding MLA Paolienlal Haokip;s query on issuance of 'Patta' and 'Jamabandis' in hill areas, chief minister N Biren said that it is not true that vast tract of land in the hills are brought under the ambit of the MLR & LR Act, 1960.Revenue records of parts of the hill area are properly maintained, he further emphasised.

Responding to a question of MLA Ram Muivah with regard to TA & Hills Office in Ukhrul district during the question hour, minister Letpao Haokip said clarified that TA and Hills office in Ukhrul is still functioning even if it is an old building and assured that renovation of the office and staff quarters will be carried out under a special scheme.

There are three working staff out of 12 sanctioned posts while nine posts are vacant.

Department of TA & Hills is preparing to fill up the vacant posts, he further assured.

MLA Ram Muivah pointed out that most of the government offices in hills districts headquarters including TA & Hills Department are not functioning properly due to which hill denizens have to visit the main offices in Imphal facing many difficulties.

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