Odisha Issues SOP to Ensure Safety of Census Staff Amid Heatwave and Field Challenges

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has rolled out a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to safeguard census personnel engaged in the ongoing first phase of Census 2027, following concerns over their safety during field operations.

In an official communication, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department directed all district collectors, municipal commissioners, and superintendents of police to strictly implement the guidelines during the houselisting and housing census exercise, currently underway from April 16 to May 15.

Enumerators across the state are conducting door-to-door visits to gather data on housing conditions, amenities, and assets. However, recent untoward incidents and the prevailing heatwave have raised serious concerns, prompting the government to prioritize the safety and well-being of field staff.

As per the SOP, all enumerators and supervisors must carry valid identification cards and appointment letters while on duty. Importantly, they have been instructed not to conduct fieldwork between 11 AM and 3 PM to avoid peak heat exposure. Officials are also advised to carry ORS and take necessary precautions against heat-related illnesses.

To strengthen security in sensitive areas, the SOP recommends that field staff work in pairs, with supervisors maintaining hourly monitoring. In case of any hostility or perceived threat, enumerators have been directed to disengage immediately, avoid confrontation, and report the matter to higher authorities.

The guidelines also stress close coordination with local police. Police stations will be provided with details of census staff, and in vulnerable locations, police personnel may accompany teams to ensure their safety.

Emphasizing community cooperation, the government has urged census teams to engage with local leaders before commencing work in any area to build trust and facilitate smooth data collection.

The state has warned that any obstruction to census duties will attract strict legal action under the Census Act, 1948, including fines and imprisonment of up to three years.

Meanwhile, Director of Census Operations, Odisha, Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, reviewed the progress of the Census 2027 programme during his visit to Dhenkanal, where he interacted with field officials and conducted inspections. Reiterating the importance of safety, he stated that enumeration work will not be conducted during peak heat hours and urged citizens to cooperate with officials.

He also advised officers to take police assistance in sensitive areas, avoid confrontation, and revisit locations with adequate security if required. The government, he added, is closely monitoring the situation to ensure both the safety of census staff and the smooth completion of the exercise.