COVID-19: Odisha CM urges PM to postpone Census exercise

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday sought postponement of Census exercise and related activities scheduled to begin on April 1 in view of vel coronavirus pandemic, saying central government should take an appropriate decision "in interest of people".

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said mobilisation of field functionaries for Census 2021 and update of National Population Register across country will pose a great health risk.

"As mobilisation for Census and or concerned activities shall pose a great risk for field functionaries and people as well, I would rar suggest to postpone scheduled Census and related activities in country," he said in letter a copy of which was released to media. "I would request that central government may review proposed Census and take appropriate decision in interest of people," he said.

Odisha chief minister said Union Home Ministry issued a tification for conducting Census and updating NPR throughout country from April 1 to September 30, 2020.

Stating that about 30 lakh enumerators and supervisors in country will be involved to collect data by visiting each household during first phase, Patnaik said this has to be preceded by elaborate training, awareness campaign and related activities.

"We are all at present fighting against vel coronavirus pandemic. All efforts of state machinery are directed towards containment of COVID-19," he said. coronavirus pandemic has been spreading rapidly worldwide , including in India, where number of confirmed cases reached 195 on Friday.

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