Economic Census to be conducted through an app this time

Mangaluru: The union government has decided to conduct the 7^th economic census through a mobile app this time. Through this, it will be possible to get the survey report sooner. The census in question gathers information regarding people who are involved in business, agriculture and non-agricultural activities.

Besides, for the first time, the census will be handled through the “Digital Seva Kendras”. Till now, Aanganwadi and Asha workers were used for this work. The census surveyor would visit homes and buildings, gather information on paper and later upload it through computers. Thus, it would take years for the entire report to be created. However, this time the census is being conducted through a mobile app for the first time. The block and maps of the 2011 census will be provided from the Census Directorate.

The Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation will be undertaking the 7^th economic census through the “Digital Seva Kendras” which come under the Department of Information and Technology. The digital seva kendras which are function under the vision of ‘Digital India’ in cities and villages will be conducting this time’s census. The officials belonging to GPs’, PDO and city limits will be providing their cooperation for this.

The census for those involved in markets, roadside vendors, those indulging in tailoring at home, various self-employment, small capacity dairy farming will be conducted at their very homes itself. Information regarding the source of finance for enterprise and other information will be collected.

The Deputy Commissioner of the respective districts have been appointed as the in-charge of the census and a committee made of district level officials has been created. Till now, 6 economic census have been conducted in the country till now.

Why is economic census required?

The aim of the government through the economic census is to gather information regarding the distribution of finance, employment, income, production and other details in connection to the economic activities involved in the organised, unorganized sectors of agriculture and non-agricultural areas within the country as well as the individual states. Through this, any imbalance regarding economic development in rural areas can be identified. This is a major information source to understand the intrinsic production of the state. The gathered information will come handy in the creation and implementation of important projects.

Provide information to the census surveyor

“The 7^th economic census which will be conducted a complete survey of all the business and units within the geographical limits of the district will be started in a few days. The public needs to cooperate and provide proper information to the census surveyors who will be visiting houses and buildings. The information being gathered during the census itself will become the basis for the government to design its developmental programmes for the future,” explained Uday Shetty, District Statistical Officer, DK