Census data credible basis for making sound policy at Dr MCR HRD Institute

Jubilee Hills: K Ramakrishna Rao, the Principal Secretary (Finance), Government of Telangana, inaugurated the 'Training Program for Master Trainersfor Census-2021' at Dr MCR HRD Institute on Monday.

Rao, in his keynote address, said that the Census is the largest single source of a variety of statistical information on different characteristics of people, which would be greatly helpful in the formulation of country's plans for socio-economic development. He added that the Census data also caters to the Constitutional requirement of delimitation of constituencies, reservation of seats for SCs and STs, planning and provision of funds for development, etc.

Rao underlined the importance of training of Master Trainers, considering the fact that the quality of the final result of the Census depends mainly on their expertise in the collection of authentic data. He, therefore, urged the Master Trainers to train the field trainers seriously and to resolve their doubts.

He stated that as a part of the Census operations, an elaborate checklist, self-explanatory manuals, detailed processes, and clear-cut procedures have been developed and called upon the Master Trainers to understand them fully, in letter and spirit, in order to make the Census 2021 a grand success.

K Ilambarithi, Director of Census Operations, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh, in his inaugural address, said that for the first time in about 150-years history of Census in India, data is being collected through a specially-designed mobile app and enumerators would be encouraged to use their own mobile phone. He added that for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh States, Census 2021 would be of great importance considering the fact that post-bifurcation, this is their first Census.

D Helen Prema Kumari, Joint Director, Census Operations, Telangana, welcomed the gathering. T L N Sisu Kumar, Joint Director, Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, proposed a vote of thanks. Subsequently, Adhar Sinha, Spl. Chief Secretary, GAD (Political), chaired an interactive session with the participants and shared his experiences on census.