Delink Census 2021 from NPR: economists, social scientists appeal to govt

As many as 190 economists and social scientists have appealed to the government to delink Census 2021 from National Population Register (NPR) exercise as there is an apprehension that it could be used to determine citizenship.

A statement to this effect was posted on the website of International Development Economics Associates.

The economists and social scientists in a statement expressed their deep concern about major implications for the Indian statistical system, of the attempt to combine data collection for the 2021 Census of India with that for the proposed National Population Register.

Noting that the Census data are important in enabling central and state governments to exercise their basic functions and meet their responsibilities to the people, the statement said, "It is therefore essential to ensure that the exercise of data collection for Census 2021 is absolutely safe, comprehensive and uncontaminated by any other factors."
There is a real danger that the concerns around the National Population Register and the fears that are growing among substantial sections that investigators can determine whether a respondent's citizenship is 'doubtful', the statement said, adding, "This possibility has already led to widespread public distrust and suspicion about the NPR, and it is not at all clear that there are any benefits from the NPR at the present juncture."