Himachal: Census work postponed again for six months
Babushahi Bureau
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), February 15, 2025: The census work in Himachal Pradesh has been postponed again for six months. The administrative boundaries of the state can now be changed till June 30. The administrative boundaries will have to be frozen in July and a report will have to be sent to the central government.
The Union Home Ministry has issued a letter in this regard to Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena. The order to seal government borders has been going on for the last two years.
Now the census may start in the country in July. The Census Registrar has issued an order allowing the states to change the boundaries of their divisions, districts, sub-divisions, tehsils and villages till 31 July. Earlier this limit was only till 31 December.
Sealing the government boundaries is the first condition for starting the census.State officials said that there is still doubt about whether a column will be added for OBC or not.
This is the reason why the census is getting delayed. The central government has to decide whether to add a question related to OBC in the census or not. If this question has to be added, then the Census Act may have to be amended.
On the basis of the Delimitation Commission to be formed in the year 2026, the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha seats are to be demarcated afresh. The number of constituencies of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas has been frozen till 2026.These constituencies will be demarcated afresh as per the new population figures.
The number of seats in Parliament will also increase. As per these increased seats, one-third of the seats in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas are to be reserved for women. (SBP)