Bhubaneswar: The government of Odisha on Thursday issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to strengthen the safety and security of census personnel after reports of untoward incidents during ongoing fieldwork.
The directive, issued by Additional Chief Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee, comes as the first phase of Census 2027 – the house listing and housing census – is currently underway across the state from April 16 to May 15.
Officials said enumerators and supervisors, who are visiting households to collect data on housing conditions, amenities, and assets, have faced safety concerns in recent days, prompting the government to step in with clear operational guidelines.
Under the SOP, all field staff must carry official identification and appointment letters at all times. Working hours have also been regulated, with personnel advised to avoid field visits during peak heat hours between 11 am and 3 pm and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
To enhance on-ground safety, enumerators may be deployed in pairs in isolated or sensitive areas, while supervisors have been tasked with regularly tracking field movements. In case of hostile situations, staff have been instructed to withdraw immediately, avoid confrontation, and report incidents to higher authorities.
The SOP also mandates close coordination with local police, including sharing personnel details with nearby police stations and ensuring access to emergency contacts. In particularly sensitive locations, police personnel may be assigned to accompany census teams.
Authorities have also stressed the importance of community engagement, encouraging field staff to connect with local leaders before beginning enumeration work in any area.
The government has reiterated that any obstruction to census duties will attract legal action under the Census Act 1948, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
The move aims to ensure smooth and timely completion of Census 2027 operations while safeguarding the personnel engaged in the exercise.
