West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced that the Census exercise in the state will begin on August 1 and continue until the end of February next year, describing it as an important administrative process that should not be viewed through a political lens.
Speaking at the state secretariat, the Chief Minister urged residents to actively participate in the headcount process and provide accurate information to enumerators. He said the Census is essential for governance, policy planning and future development initiatives, adding that reliable population data helps governments make decisions regarding welfare schemes, infrastructure and public services.
“The census in Bengal will begin from August 1 and continue till midnight on February-end next year. It has no connection with politics,” Adhikari said while announcing the schedule. He stressed that the exercise is necessary for understanding demographic changes and ensuring effective administration across the state.
According to the Chief Minister, West Bengal is conducting the Census after a gap of nearly 15 years. He alleged that the previous government did not act on communications sent by the Centre regarding the exercise and claimed the delay affected planning and governance. Adhikari said the state administration is now moving ahead with preparations to ensure that the process is completed smoothly.
Officials said a digital system will also be introduced as part of the Census process. Residents will reportedly have the option to submit details online during an initial self-enumeration window from August 1 to August 15. Those who do not complete the process online will be visited by enumerators for data collection and verification.
The state government is also preparing a dedicated application for Census staff to assist with data collection and monitoring. Authorities believe the use of technology will help improve accuracy and speed up the compilation of information.
The Census exercise is expected to play a major role in future administrative planning and may also influence constituency delimitation and representation based on updated population figures. Recent discussions within the government have indicated that fresh Census data could lead to changes in assembly boundaries and governance structures in the coming years.
The Chief Minister appealed to all citizens to cooperate with officials during the process and ensure that correct information is provided. State authorities are expected to issue detailed guidelines and awareness campaigns before the August rollout.
