In view of COVID19 outbreak, the first phase of Census 2021 and the updation of National Population Register (NPR) postponed until further orders, the Ministry of Home Affairs said today. Both the exercises were supposed to be carried out from April 1 to September 30.
Earlier on Tuesday, the prime minister announced a 21-day lockdown across the country due to the coronavirus outbreak.
In a statement, the home ministry said Census 2021 was scheduled to be conducted in two phases -- house listing and housing census during April-September and population enumeration during February 9 to 28.
The updating of NPR was also proposed to be done along with the Phase I of Census 2021 in all the states and union territories, except Assam.
The home ministry said due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, high alert has been declared by the Centre as well as the states and union territories.
Keeping in view these issues, the first phase of Census 2021 and updating of NPR, which was to begin on various dates decided by the state and union territory governments beginning April 1 and various related field activities, are postponed until further orders, the statement said.
(With PTI inputs)
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