Tripura Census Row: LoP Seeks Probe Into Data Collection Allegations
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
- Aug 27, 2026
- 130
Tripura Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chowdhury has urged the state government to investigate allegations of interference in the ongoing Census 2027 enumeration process, insisting that household information must be recorded exactly as found during field verification.
Chowdhury raised the matter in the Tripura Legislative Assembly on Thursday and sought the intervention of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha. He said the credibility of the census depends on ensuring that enumerators can document the actual living conditions of families without administrative pressure.
Jitendra Chowdhury Raises Concerns Over Census Data
The CPI(M) leader said India is conducting its first full census exercise in nearly 16 years after the previous census was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed that the resulting database will be important for government planning, welfare programmes, infrastructure development and future resource allocation.
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Recent reporting on Chowdhury's Assembly remarks also confirms that he raised concerns about alleged instructions given to enumerators in some blocks and districts to omit or alter specific household details.
Alleged Pressure On Enumerators In Tripura
According to Chowdhury, complaints have emerged from different parts of the state alleging that some officials attempted to influence the information being entered by field workers.
He claimed that enumerators in certain areas were allegedly discouraged from recording details concerning kutcha toilets, lantern use and the absence of electricity connections. He further alleged that some field workers were subsequently asked to modify or remove information after initially documenting conditions observed during household visits.
Chowdhury maintained that such allegations require examination because even apparently minor changes to census records could affect the reliability of the final dataset.
Why Accurate Census Data Matters
The Opposition Leader said census figures are not merely statistical records. They provide an important foundation for assessing the needs of communities and designing government interventions.
Accurate information can influence decisions relating to:
- Development planning
- Government welfare schemes
- Infrastructure projects
- Housing and sanitation
- Electricity and basic amenities
- Healthcare and education
- Allocation of public resources
Chowdhury warned that portraying a district or block as better developed than its actual condition could eventually result in inaccurate planning and inappropriate allocation of resources.
LoP Clarifies Allegations Are Against A Section Of Officials
Chowdhury clarified that his allegations were not aimed at the entire state administration or the Census Directorate.
Instead, he said his concern relates specifically to allegations involving a section of officials who may allegedly be attempting to present a more favourable picture of the areas under their jurisdiction.
He called for the government to examine the complaints independently and determine whether any officials have attempted to influence the enumeration process.
Jitendra Chowdhury Seeks CM Manik Saha's Intervention
Chowdhury appealed to Chief Minister Manik Saha to issue clear instructions to government officials to ensure that census enumerators can perform their duties independently.
He argued that field-level workers should be permitted to record information based solely on their observations and verification, without pressure to change the facts.
The Leader of the Opposition also urged the government to maintain complete transparency in Tripura's Census 2027 exercise and ensure that the final records accurately capture the state's household-level socio-economic and infrastructural conditions.
Census 2027 In Tripura
Tripura began the first phase of Census 2027 self-enumeration in July, with residents given an opportunity to submit household information through the digital census platform. TheTripuraPost previously reported that the exercise covers detailed information concerning housing conditions, family details and essential household amenities.
Chief Minister Manik Saha had also participated in the digital self-enumeration process and appealed to citizens to cooperate with the census exercise, highlighting the importance of reliable demographic information for policymaking and development planning.
Key Takeaway
The controversy over alleged interference has brought the accuracy and independence of census enumeration in Tripura into focus. Chowdhury's demand is for the government to ensure that every household's actual circumstances are reflected in the official database without alteration or administrative influence.
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