Publicity drive launched in Orissa for census 2011

BHUBANESWAR - The Orissa government Thursday launched a massive publicity drive for census 2011, spreading awareness among people about the importance of providing necessary data for the operation, an official said.

The Census of India, 2011 shall be conducted in two phases, namely, house listing operation and population enumeration. The house listing will be conducted in the state from April 7 to May 22 this year.

In order to take the message to the people, we have launched a number of publicity measures, Bishnupada Sethi, director, census operations, Orissa, told IANS.

Street plays by several local dance groups and artists are being organised in all the district headquarters from today (Thursday). In some places it has already started,” he said, adding that plays will continue till April 15.

We have also planned 15, 30 and 40-second spots for broadcast and telecast during the next few days through state and private radio and television channels,” he said.

All district collectors have also been requested to arrange marathons, cycle rallies using banners and poster and debate competitions for school children,” he said.

During the first phase operation, officials will prepare a comprehensive data base for assessing the living conditions in human settlements, which will indicate a possible housing deficit and future housing requirements.

They will collect data on amenities like drinking water, lighting, toilet, kitchen, fuel for cooking, radio, transistor, computer, laptop, telephone, mobile phone, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, moped, car, jeep, van and banking services.

The authorities have planned to engage 73,702 enumerators and 12,284 supervisors in the process.

According to the last census in 2001, the population of Orissa was nearly 37 million. The current census is the 15th since the process began in 1872. It is conducted every 10 years.