New Delhi, July 26 – Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, submitted an adjournment motion notice calling for a clear timeline for the long-delayed national census. Gogoi highlighted the critical importance of census data for effective policymaking and resource allocation, stressing that the last census conducted in 2011 is now outdated.
“The census is a fundamental exercise that provides critical data for understanding the socio-economic fabric of our nation,” Gogoi stated. He pointed out that 94 countries, including China and Bangladesh, successfully completed their censuses during the pandemic, whereas India remains one of the few nations that postponed it without setting a new date.
Gogoi criticized the government for relying on outdated 2011 data, which fails to represent the current needs of India’s population. He provided examples of citizens being excluded from public distribution efforts due to this obsolete information.
“This government has made no real efforts to kick-start the process because it is prioritizing political calculations over people,” he asserted. Gogoi urged immediate action, demanding a comprehensive explanation for the delay and assurances that steps would be taken promptly to rectify the situation.
In a separate motion, Congress MP Manish Tewari raised concerns about the China border situation and the trade deficit. Tewari highlighted ongoing border clashes since 2019 and China’s recent territorial claims in Arunachal Pradesh. He also noted the significant trade imbalance, with India’s deficit with China exceeding $85 billion in 2023-24.