SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday reviewed the progress of House Listing Operations (HLO) under the first phase of Census-2027 and directed all departments to ensure timely completion of the exercise across the Union Territory.
The review was held at a meeting of the UT Level Census Coordination Committee (UTLCCC) chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, with participation from senior officials of the Planning, Rural Development, and Census departments, while Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners joined virtually.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasised that the census is a critical national exercise forming the basis for planning and policy formulation, and directed field officials to ensure complete and accurate household coverage within the prescribed timeframe. He also instructed that all personnel engaged in census work should remain deployed until the exercise is fully completed.
He asked the Planning Department to closely monitor daily progress and ensure completion of the House Listing Operations by June 30, 2026.
Director Census Operations Amit Sharma informed the meeting that extensive preparations had been completed for the rollout of the HLO phase. He said field data collection, self-enumeration processes, formation of House Listing Blocks (HLBs), and arrangements for enumerating migratory populations were progressing in a structured manner.
Officials stated that 23,887 HLBs have been established across 295 census charges in Jammu and Kashmir, with operations currently underway in 14,279 blocks.
Jammu and Kashmir has also secured the first position among Union Territories and eighth position among all States and UTs in the self-enumeration category. As of June 1, 2026, about 6.67 lakh households have completed self-enumeration through the digital platform.
The meeting also reviewed special arrangements for migratory and transhumant populations, with coordinated involvement of departments including Forest, Tribal Affairs, Sheep Husbandry, Animal Husbandry, and School Education to ensure comprehensive coverage.
District administrations have been advised to adopt flexible enumeration methods, including creation of additional House Listing Blocks and fixing special enumeration dates where required, to ensure no household or population group is left out.
Reiterating the importance of strict compliance, the Chief Secretary referred to provisions under the Census Act, 1948, and urged all departments and field agencies to extend full cooperation to census staff.
He stressed that the success of Census-2027 depends on coordinated inter-departmental efforts and directed all stakeholders to carry out their responsibilities with diligence, efficiency, and accountability.
