Gaya residents question census process; enumerators highlight own challenges

Gaya: Residents in several parts of Gaya have alleged that census enumerators are not adhering to prescribed protocols during the first phase of the ongoing exercise, raising concerns over possible errors and inconsistencies.According to official guidelines, citizens were allowed the option of self-enumeration, after which enumerators were required to physically verify submitted details such as the name of the family head, type of house, living space, availability of Wi-Fi, computers and vehicles, bathroom status and whether the dwelling is owned or rented.However, several residents claimed that these procedures were not being properly followed. For households that did not opt for self-enumeration, enumerators were supposed to mark residential units, assign verifiable identification numbers, make real-time entries and carry out geo-tagging. “Geo-tagging is not being carried out and data is being collected on loose sheets of paper, making verification difficult,” said Ananda Kumar, a resident of Chankyapuri colony.Activist Syed Shad Alam echoed the concerns, stating that despite claims of full digitisation, the ground reality was different. He also questioned the technical training and digital proficiency of enumerators. Amresh Singh, a resident of Delha, said similar issues were being faced in his locality.Enumerators, most of whom are school teachers, pointed to their own challenges. One enumerator said the work is carried out after school hours, often in temperatures exceeding 40°C, making the task strenuous. In many cases, residents—particularly tenants and those in disputed households—are reluctant to share details.Enumerators also complained that they were not provided printouts of self-enumeration data, leading to duplication of work. Poor network connectivity has further hampered real-time data entry, while some said they had to purchase stationery themselves due to lack of supplies.Gaya Municipal Commissioner Abhishek Palasia acknowledged network issues affecting the process. He said the requirement for geo-tagging has been temporarily withdrawn as many enumerators are not adept at real-time digital entries and have been given some flexibility. He added that concerns related to self-enumeration would be examined.Officials said corrective steps may be introduced if discrepancies are found, even as residents demanded stricter monitoring to ensure accuracy and transparency in the enumeration process. They stressed that reliable data is crucial for planning welfare schemes and allocation of resources across the district going forward.