In a significant step towards ensuring the smooth execution of the upcoming Census 2027, the State Level Census Coordination Committee (SLCCC) convened today under the chairmanship of Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha.
The meeting, held at the Conference Hall of Lokseva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, brought together key stakeholders to discuss preparations for this pivotal national program.
The session commenced with a warm welcome from Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, IAS, Director of the Directorate of Census Operations, Odisha, who greeted the dignitaries and participants. Attendees included high-ranking officials such as the Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, Principal Secretary of the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department, Additional Secretary of the Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Special Secretary of the Forest & Environment Department, Special Secretary of the Rural Development Department, Additional Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department, and the Secretary of the State Election Commission, Odisha. A representative from the Chief Conservator of Forests was also present, alongside senior officers from various government departments.
Virtually connecting through video conference were all Collectors-cum-Principal Census Officers and Municipal Commissioners-cum-Principal Census Officers from across the state, accompanied by their respective census functionaries. This hybrid format ensured widespread participation and alignment on critical census activities.
The agenda focused on the forthcoming House Listing Operations (HLO) scheduled for April-May 2026, followed by the Population Enumeration (PE) in February-March 2027. Detailed discussions covered essential aspects such as the freezing of administrative boundaries, the Phase-I schedule for Census-2027 in Odisha, and the deployment of enumerators and supervisors. Participants also addressed potential overlaps with the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, financial norms for the census, selection of master trainers and field trainers, finalisation of forest villages, urban agglomerations, slums, special charges, and the notification of industrial towns.
Nikhil Pavan Kalyan elaborated on the operational modalities and modes for the census, emphasising the need for meticulous planning to achieve accurate and comprehensive data collection. Highlighting the importance of the exercise, Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh underscored the administrative roles and responsibilities of the Collectors-cum-Principal Census Officers. He urged all participants to extend their wholehearted cooperation, describing Census 2027 as a cornerstone government initiative that will yield long-term benefits for national planning and development.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with a collective commitment to overcoming logistical challenges and ensuring the census operations are conducted efficiently and transparently. This coordination effort reflects Odisha’s proactive approach to contributing to India’s demographic mapping, which will inform policy decisions in areas like education, healthcare, and infrastructure for years to come.
