Srinagar, Nov 21: With first phase of Census in Jammu and Kashmir nearing completion, the authorities have shifted focus on crucial population enumeration which is all set to start early next year.
 Sources told Greater Kashmir that though the first phase of the decadal exercise—Listing Operation—which started on May 15 this year had already been completed in Jammu and Ladakh and the data colleted dispatched to Parmano in Himachal Pradesh for processing, the exercise was still incomplete in Kashmir. The data is dispatched to HP to get the latest figures about the socio-economic conditions of people.
 “So far the statistics regarding listing operation has not been colleted from 25 to 30 percent of area in Srinagar which mostly falls in Municipal limits. Besides, the data from different districts is being colleted at the three identified post offices in Srinagar, Baramulla and Islamabad (Anantnag) where from it will be dispatched to HP,” sources said.
 Officials in the Census Department told Greater Kashmir that they had taken the matter of shifting the data regarding House Listing from different Tehsils in Valley to identified points wherefrom it would be picked by postal authorities. The Listing Operation involves listing of all types of house - Pucca or Katcha, availability of social facilities like schooling, healthcare etc. to each household.
 Responding to complaints that the Listing Operation was not taken up in several areas in the outskirt of the summer capital, including Hazratbal and Zakura, officials said the exercise was not taken up in certain areas within the Municipal limits of the city due to unrest in the valley. “Since the situation has normalized, the department will reach out to people to complete the task,” officials said. 
 Director Census, Farooq Ahmad Faktoo said the department had started preparations for the second phase of census—General Census or population enumeration--which involves listing of members of each household to compile latest population figures besides male: female ratio.
 “It will start from February 2011. The census department has already started holding deliberations with district authorities and officials involved in population enumeration will be trained for conducting the exercise,” officials said.
 The phase would involve collecting details about overall facilities like healthcare and education available to each household, details about individuals religion, economic conditions etc.
 Once completed the census would provide the latest population figures and comprehensive picture of social and living conditions of the people, and would provide a basis for the government for planning and development for next 10 years.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 21 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST