The field staff conducting the ongoing Census-related survey are facing multiple challenges while going from door-to-door to collect information. The questionnaire, which seeks detailed information on caste, religion, drug addiction and crime-related issues, has triggered hesitation among many residents, making the exercise increasingly difficult for surveyors.
With cyber frauds, thefts and snatching incidents on the rise, many respondents are hesitant to share personal information with survey teams. Apart from trust issues, staff members, particularly female teachers deployed for the exercise, are also struggling with technological and safety concerns.
Several teachers engaged in the survey alleged that despite drawing salaries of just Rs 20,000, they are required to arrange smartphones with updated software versions, costing over Rs 25,000, to compile and upload data for the state government.
Female staff members cited safety concerns while travelling to remote villages in the scorching summer heat after school hours.
An associate professor deployed for the survey said the government’s instructions follow a “bring your own device” policy. “For data collection and other operations, a mobile phone with Android version 12 or above is required, but I have an older model. We have been given Rs 9,000 for the survey and the remaining Rs 15,000 will be released only after completion. My salary is Rs 20,000, how can I afford a phone costing over Rs 25,000?” she asked.
Another female teacher said she lived in Ludhiana and taught in Sidhwan Bet area, but her assigned survey station was Kothe Ath Chak, a deserted locality where snatching incidents are common. “Now, I have to ask my husband or other relatives to accompany me for safety concerns,” she said.
The survey staff also pointed to the highly personal nature of several questions, which often makes respondents uncomfortable and unwilling to answer. “For instance, we are required to ask about caste and sub-caste details, whether people face discrimination while fetching water or visiting places of worship, and questions related to drug addiction, including where drugs are allegedly sold in the locality. Many families find these questions too intrusive and refuse to respond,” rued another survey worker, adding that the survey by the state government was not going to bear any fruit.
