NT Reporter
Panaji
With days left for the April 16 rollout of census 2027, the Tiswadi mamlatdar office is facing a manpower shortfall with field staff also expressing concerns over deployment. Against a requirement of 158, only 130 teachers have been identified so far.
Officials said that under directions from the district Collector, who is the principal census officer, the mamlatdar, acting as charge officer, has been instructed to deploy only primary school teachers as enumerators.
“Several teachers have been called from talukas such as Sanguem and Pernem and are expected to work in unfamiliar areas without transport support. The task involves visiting households, asking 34 questions and entering data digitally,” said officials.
Government school teachers are used for census work as the law permits their deployment for duties of national importance such as census and elections, they said.
“Each teacher has been assigned to cover between 900 and 1,200 persons as part of the enumeration of around 47,000 residents in Tiswadi. The remuneration is Rs 12,000 and there is no provision for travel or refreshments,” said officials.
A senior officer said teachers may spend time locating houses in unfamiliar areas and that digital data entry through mobile applications slows the process.
Some women teachers have raised concerns regarding door-to-door visits in unknown areas, said officials. “There are concerns related to safety, including stray dogs and possible hostile responses,” an officer said.
A teacher deputed from Pernem said they are required to cover up to 1,200 persons without transport and the work can extend late into the day.
“There is pressure to meet deadlines and
there are concerns among staff. Managing both is
a challenge,” a senior
officer said.
