Kolkata: The self-enumeration exercise for India’s 16th Census began in West Bengal on Saturday, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari saying the survey would create a permanent record for genuine beneficiaries, as he drew a clear distinction between illegal immigrants and refugees.
He, however, clarified that the Census exercise and illegal immigration were separate issues.
Facing questions over the status of people not included in the voter list and facing SIR tribunals, Adhikari said illegal immigrants from Bangladesh were ineligible for welfare benefits and would be sent back as “we will not be able to feed them”.
However, those covered under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be treated as refugees, not infiltrators, the chief minister affirmed.
After filling in his details on the official Census website, marking the launch of the self-enumeration phase of the decennial survey, Adhikari said the Census data would be used to create a permanent record for extending aid under government welfare schemes to eligible beneficiaries.
“Once the information comes in February, people will not have to submit documents repeatedly for social aid. They don’t have to stand in queues for every social scheme, caste certificates or benefits. A permanent record will be created. It will help take the state forward in the coming days,” the chief minister said.
The window for the first phase of the once-in-a-decade population survey will remain open from August 1 to August 15, during which people can submit their details through the official portal se.census.gov.in.
This will be followed by a house-listing phase from August 16 to September 14, during which information on the condition of housing, household amenities and assets possessed will be collected.
About the exclusion of names under the SIR of electoral rolls and the ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate) list of voters, Adhikari said many of those who figure in the list have not challenged it.
“Out of the 27 lakh people who were given an opportunity to approach the SIR tribunal, around seven lakh had applied. The rest have not submitted any application or appeal so far,” he said.
Adhilkari further said that until the entire process was completed, it would not be possible to determine whether those who had not made any claim as voters would later seek recognition as Indian citizens.
“There are two kinds of people who have come to Bengal from Bangladesh. One category is that of infiltrators. They will not stay in Bengal. They will be identified, verified and sent back. We will not be able to feed them,” Adhikari said.
He asserted that Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Jains from other countries are not infiltrators but refugees under CAA.
Citing a September 1, 2025, notification of the Union government, the chief minister said, “Those who came to Bengal from Bangladesh by December 31, 2024 to save their lives or escape religious persecution will not face any case. Police will not be able to harass them.”
“If someone is not a citizen of the country, they will not get benefits of any social scheme. The Centre and the state are responsible for Indian citizens. Once a clean citizens’ list is prepared, it will become easier for the government to work.”
Seeking people’s cooperation for the success of the self-enumeration exercise, Adhikari took the opportunity to target the previous Trinamool Congress dispensation, accusing it of delaying the Census process.
“We had fallen behind the rest of the country to a large extent due to the unwillingness of the previous government (to cooperate with the Centre). But we gave this (Census) the highest priority after coming to power,” the chief minister said.
Highlighting that the Census was the country’s first fully digital population count and people could submit their information on the website on their own, he sought to allay fears about privacy and data security.
The online self-enumeration form requires respondents to provide details related to household information, family members, education, occupation and residential particulars, among others.
“Information collected would remain confidential and protected under law. Data will be used only for statistics, planning and development. There is no scope for misuse of personal information in any form,” Adhikari said.
“I urge every person in West Bengal to cooperate with the authorities involved and participate in the process. I want the modern Census to succeed for the sake of public welfare and the goal of a developed India.”
Around 3,400 supervisors and a total of 14,399 personnel have been engaged for the Census work in the state. The population enumeration phase of the Census will be conducted later and is scheduled to continue till February 28, 2027.
