The District Administration Kishtwar, in collaboration with the Directorate of Census Operations, Jammu & Kashmir, has launched a comprehensive three-day Phase-I training program for census functionaries in preparation for the upcoming Census 2027.
The training program is being conducted under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar and Principal Census Officer, Sh. Pankaj Kumar Sharma (JKAS). Officials from the Directorate of Census Operations, J&K, including Deputy Director Sh. Manmeet Singh, Master Trainer Sh. Vinay Kumar Singh, and Office Superintendent Anil Sharma, are imparting training to the participants.
The first phase of the training focuses on the House Listing and Housing Census (HLO), scheduled from April to September 2026. During this phase, enumerators will visit every household to collect detailed information regarding housing conditions and socio-economic status.
The second phase, Population Enumeration, will be conducted between February and March 2027, focusing on collecting demographic data.
The three-day training program in Kishtwar is scheduled for March 24, March 25, and April 2, 2026. It aims to equip census functionaries with the necessary skills for accurate and efficient data collection.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Commissioner highlighted the importance of the census as a vital national exercise and emphasized the need for accuracy, especially considering Kishtwar’s large geographical area and sparse population. He urged enumerators to ensure that every household is covered and all 34 prescribed parameters are recorded correctly, reiterating the message: “Every citizen counts.”
Additional Commissioner Development, Sh. Pawan Kotwal (JKAS), provided insights into the historical importance of the census, while Deputy Director Sh. Manmeet Singh elaborated on the preparatory process and the roles of field officials.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where participants clarified their doubts with trainers.
The training program witnessed participation from senior district officials, including ADC Kishtwar, ACD Kishtwar, SDMs, Tehsildars, and other staff associated with census operations.