Jammu, Feb 7: The caste-based census in the state is all set to take off from next week as all the formalities in this regard have been completed.
 With this census, actual number of different castes will be ascertained to facilitate implementation of government sponsored welfare schemes for the backward strata of the society.
 The training work for the enumerators has been completed, sources said, adding that this time, the enumerators have been given special computer software training. Further each enumeration blocks have been set up with 600 or less population and the enumerators will visit every household for the survey and census on caste basis. The entire exercise will be paper less as the enumerator team would consolidate the data   by making on spot entries in the computer, while the counting process would be completed in 40-45 days that too in a single phase.
 “Entire state has been divided in 26,000 blocks for enumeration purpose. Each enumerator will conduct survey in four blocks and will be accompanied by a technical person to feed data in tablet computers being provided by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India” sources said.
 Joint Chief Census Officer, C S Saproo, while talking to Greater Kashmir said that hopefully the caste based census in Jammu would be started in next week as all other formalities have been completed in this regard. “The census will be held in all the districts of the state simultaneously and the concerned Deputy Commissioners have been asked to be ready for the process. The entire expenditure of the census would be borne by the Union government.”
 He said the report will be made public in six to seven months. 
 Pertinently, the issue of caste-based census had evoked strong resistance from the opposition parties. However, the government went ahead a plea that it was the long pending demand of Other Backward Classes.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST