NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has called on the Indian government to expedite the long-delayed population census, emphasizing that millions of citizens are being excluded from essential food security benefits due to outdated data. Speaking during the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Gandhi highlighted that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) continues to rely on the 2011 Census, leaving approximately 14 crore people without access to critical food entitlements.
The NFSA, introduced by the UPA government in September 2013, is a landmark initiative aimed at providing food and nutritional security to India’s population. However, Gandhi pointed out that the delay in conducting the latest census has resulted in an inaccurate identification of beneficiaries. “The current population estimates are significantly higher than the 2011 data, and this discrepancy is depriving millions of their rightful benefits,” she stated.
The 2021 Census, initially scheduled to begin during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been repeatedly postponed due to logistical challenges. Experts argue that the delay is not only affecting food security but also hindering effective policy-making in areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.
Gandhi’s intervention comes at a time when rising inflation and economic challenges have exacerbated food insecurity across the country. She urged the government to prioritize the census to ensure that the NFSA reaches its intended beneficiaries. “The government must act swiftly to update population data and ensure that no one is left behind,” she added.
The Congress leader’s demand has reignited discussions on the importance of accurate demographic data for equitable resource distribution. With India’s population estimated to have crossed 140 crores, the need for an updated census has never been more urgent.
