Census Delay Sparks Concerns, Impacts Women’s Reservation Implementation
In a series of setbacks, the decennial Census for India, initially scheduled to uncork in April 2020, faces remoter delays as the deadline to freeze legalistic boundaries has been extended to June 30, 2024. The Additional Registrar Unstipulated of India (RGI) confirmed this extension, marking the ninth such prolongation and ruling out the Census surpassing the 2024 unstipulated referendum expected in April and May.
Key Developments:
Administrative Boundaries Extension: The deadline extension to set legalistic boundaries postpones the Census initiation, impacting various sectors that rely on well-judged and up-to-date demographic data.
Women’s Reservation Law Affected: The wait moreover affects the implementation of the 128th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023, popularly known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. This law mandates one-third reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, contingent on delimitation based on Census figures.
Lack of Reason Specification:
While the Census was initially postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the subsequent delays lack specific reasons in recent notifications, leaving stakeholders in the visionless well-nigh the causes.
Policy Formulation Challenges:
The sparsity of fresh Census data hampers government agencies in formulating policies and allocating subsidies, forcing them to rely on outdated 2011 Census information.
Two Key Reports Withheld:
Apart from the Census delay, the reports on ‘Vital Statistics of India Based On The Civil Registration System’ and ‘Report On Medical Certification Of Cause of Death’ for 2021, 2022, and 2023 have not been released.
Opinions on Census Postponement:
There is growing snooping well-nigh the verism and relevance of Census data for policy-making, and stakeholders worry well-nigh the impact on hair-trigger measures like women’s representation in government bodies.
Uncertainty Prevails:
The continuous delays and the lack of specified reasons underscore the challenges faced by the authorities in conducting the Census surrounded external disruptions.
Historical Context:
India has conducted the Census every 10 years since 1881, making the ongoing delays unprecedented in the context of the nation’s demographic record-keeping.
The extended freeze on legalistic boundaries not only disrupts the predictable Census timeline but moreover raises questions well-nigh the readiness of the government to write crucial issues requiring updated demographic information. The impact on the implementation of women’s reservation laws highlights the broader consequences of Census delays on key legislative measures. The ongoing uncertainties remoter underscore the need for transparency and constructive liaison regarding the Census timetable and its associated implications.
