kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Self Enumeration Census Portal: The process of the 16th digital Census has officially begun across the state. Launching the historic programme on Saturday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that the 2027 Census will be conducted through a 100 percent digital system and, for the first time, citizens will have the special facility of ‘Self-Enumeration’. From August 1 to August 15, every family will be able to submit their required information through the official government portal.

Explaining the details of the census process, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that there is no need for concern among people who are unable to use online services or those living in remote and underdeveloped areas. He stated that government representatives will directly visit their homes and collect the necessary information.

The Chief Minister added that the entire census exercise will be carried out strictly according to the guidelines issued by the Census Authority of India. He emphasized that completing the census process is not only an administrative duty but also a constitutional responsibility of every government employee involved in the exercise.

From the platform of the official census launch programme, Suvendu Adhikari also delivered a strong message on state politics and border security. He clarified that the state government is not taking any separate action beyond the directives issued by the central government and that the census process will be conducted according to established rules and regulations.

Speaking on the issue of illegal infiltration, the Chief Minister said, “Illegal infiltrators will not be allowed to stay in this state or in the country. They are being identified through a proper legal process and are being sent back carefully. The same process will continue in the future. It is not the responsibility of India to take care of illegal infiltrators.”

The same time, he assured genuine Indian citizens that the government would ensure that no legitimate citizen faces difficulties during the verification process. Referring to past incidents, he said that during the previous government’s tenure, a mistake occurred in Birbhum, where an Indian citizen had faced difficulties due to an error. However, the person was later brought back.

Suvendu Adhikari stated that his government would take every possible measure to ensure that such mistakes do not happen again and that no genuine Indian citizen suffers even the slightest inconvenience during the census-related process.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the difference between illegal infiltrators and refugees while referring to provisions under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He stated that people belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities who came from Bangladesh or neighbouring countries under specific circumstances are not considered illegal infiltrators but refugees under the applicable legal framework.

He further said that according to the notification issued by the Government of India on September 1, 2025, the rules are clearly defined. Refugees who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution or threats to their lives will not face legal cases, and police authorities will not harass them.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the digital census process has been designed to ensure transparency, accuracy, and convenience for citizens. He said that while technology will make the process faster and more efficient, special arrangements have been made for people who cannot access digital facilities.

The launch of the 16th Census has therefore become not only a major administrative exercise but also a platform where issues related to citizenship, border security, and legal identification have come into focus. The government has urged citizens to actively participate in the digital census process and provide correct information to ensure the successful completion of Census 2027.