Giving false information during census is punishable: Goa MP

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Ajay Maken told Mr Shantaram Naik in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, last week that as per Clause (d) of sub section (1) of Section 11 of the Census Act, 1948 any person who intentionally gives a false answer to, or refuses to answer to the best of his knowledge or belief, any question asked of him by a census-officer which he is legally bound by section 8 to answer, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.

He further told Mr Naik the First Phase of Census of India 2011 i.e. Houselisting and Housing Census has already commenced in 25 States/UTs.

Minister said that in respect of remaining 10 States/UTs, this is to commence between 7th May, 2010 to 15th June, 2010. He further informed that the Second Phase of Census, i.e., Population Enumeration is scheduled to be conducted between 9th February, 2011 to 28th February, 2011 with reference date as 00.00 hours of 1st March, 2011 in the entire country except the snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The revisional round will be undertaken during 1-5 March, 2011.

The host of data on housing stock, amenities and assets available with each of the household are being collected in Houselisting Operations. During Second Phase-Population Enumeration data on various socio-economic and demographic parameters like age, sex, literacy, SC/ST status, religion, languages known, economic activity status, migration etc. will be collected in respect of each individual, minister said.

As regards Naik's sub-question regarding the information sought for the first time, Mr Maken one new question on availability of Computer/Laptop with internet or without internet is included.
The exact questions for the second phase of Census-Population Enumeration will be finalized by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprising of eminent Demographers, Social Scientists, Data Users and senior government officers, minister said.