New Delhi: In her inaugural Zero Hour address in the Rajya Sabha, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi Addresses Census Delay, emphasizing that this postponement has deprived approximately 14 crore citizens of their rightful entitlements under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Originally scheduled for 2021, Sonia Gandhi addresses census delay has been postponed multiple times, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of now, there is no definitive timeline for its completion. Gandhi highlighted that the current beneficiary quotas under the NFSA are based on data from the 2011 census, which is now over a decade old. This outdated data fails to account for population growth and demographic changes, resulting in millions of eligible individuals being excluded from essential food security programs.
“For the first time in independent India’s history, the decennial census has been delayed by more than four years,” Gandhi remarked. “Budget allocations reveal that the updated census is unlikely to be conducted this year as well. Around 14 crore eligible Indians are thus being deprived of their rightful benefits under the NFSA.”
The NFSA, enacted in 2013 during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-thirds of India’s population. The act is pivotal in ensuring food and nutritional security, especially for vulnerable households. Gandhi emphasized that food security is not a privilege but a fundamental right, and Sonia Gandhi Addresses Census Delay undermines this principle.
The absence of updated census data has broader implications beyond the NFSA. Accurate and current population data is essential for effective policy formulation, resource allocation, and implementation of various welfare schemes. Sonia Gandhi Addresses Census Delay and added, “The delay hampers the government’s ability to address socio-economic disparities and plan for future developmental needs.”
Gandhi’s concerns have found resonance among various stakeholders. Experts argue that the delay in the census could lead to significant gaps in data, affecting everything from electoral constituencies to public health initiatives. The lack of updated demographic information may result in misallocation of resources, leaving some regions underserved.
In response to Gandhi’s address, there have been calls for the government to prioritize the completion of the census. Timely and accurate data collection is crucial for ensuring that all eligible citizens receive their due benefits and that policies are tailored to the current needs of the population.
The government has yet to provide a clear timeline for the census. As the nation awaits this critical exercise, the voices advocating for its prompt execution grow louder, underscoring the essential role of the census in India’s democratic and developmental framework.
