Training provided to census-takers in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar, May 7 (ANI): As part of the preparations for the Population Census 2011, preliminary training sessions are being organized in the Kashmir Valley.

Around 3,200 employees of the state government from Srinagar and Ganderbal districts and Handwara Tehsil (block), attended the training sessions in various centers across the state.

"The training for the census started on May 5. There will be a refresher course on May 12. At the moment, the enumerators, supervisors and other staff involved number up to 3,000 in district Srinagar. We have provided training to supervisors and enumerators at 22 training centers," said Mukhtar Aziz, Census Officer.

Along with the census-training, trainees were also briefed to motivate locals to participate in the census.

"Training will help in increasing efficiency of our work. We were taught the procedure to fill in forms and other formalities, so that when we go to the field we fill in the right information," said Haneef, a trainee.

The 2011 census will start on May 15 in the state.

Around 33,000 employees of the state government would carry the two-phased census process.

As per the census of 2001, the population of Jammu and Kashmir was somewhat above of 10 million.

During the last census in 2001 the separatists had called for the boycott of the census but this time round, all political groups are supporting it, and are asking people to participate in it. (ANI)