Census Commissioner favours focused survey of people with

Census Commissioner C Chandramouli today favoured a "focused survey" which presents the actual data of people with disability in the country, as the decadal census figures do not reflect the true status of such population.
With the disability population remaining unclear in India, he said the survey will greatly address the issue of data collection about the disabled population in the country where reluctance of the households to divulge about members suffering from disability remains a big challenge for enumerators.
"Further sensitising the enumerators itself is another major issue," he said addressing a function on the release of UNICEF's 'State of the world's children: children with disability' report 2013.

"If census is not the answer then what is? In my opinion focused surveys have to be brought in. This will give you a better understanding (about the disable population)," he said.
"We need trained enumerators as such surveys are the need of the hour and would be happy to help in designing such surveys and lending technical expertise, he said.
Focused surveys, he said, would help in generating granular data on which micro-level policy for disabled can be framed.

While global report suggests that the disability population in the country was 25 per cent in 2011, census figure here states that the figure was 2.13 per cent in 2001.

According to the report, there is little accurate data on the number of children with disability, what disabilities these children have and how these affect their lives.
"As a result, few governments have a dependable guide for allocating resources to support and assist children with disabilities and their families," the report said.
For many children with disabilities, the report said, exclusion begins in the first day of their birth going unregistered. Lacking official recognition, they are cut off from their social services and legal protections that are crucial to their survival and prospects. Their marginalisation only increases with discrimination.
India is, however, one of the few countries which has ratified the convention of right of persons with disabilities and optional protocol.

According to the report, India ranks 49 as far mortality rate below five years is concerned.