Overseas Goans left out of Census enumeration MARGAO, FEB 21
The ongoing census operation may not reflect Goa’s population, exactly, especially in minority dominated Salcete taluka.
For, Goans working abroad – either on board ships or in the Gulf, Europe or USA – are not included in the census operations. With almost one member of each family in Salcete’s countryside is abroad for employment purpose, the census is unlikely to show the exact population in respective talukas.
A senior census official, Gaonkar told Herald that only those staying in the State at this particular point of time when the operation is underway are to be included in the census. “These are the instructions which have been received from the Centre and they are being implemented in the State,” he added.
Deputy Collector, Margao Johnson Fernandes said that instructions have been received by his office from the higher ups that only people presently staying in the state are to be enumerated by the officials. Census field staff say that these instructions have put them in a tight spot, especially in Velim, Chinchinim, Assolna and Cuncolim – which have a large number of seafarer community.
A field official said they had to face double trouble while enumerating houses in Salcete villages. “We have come across head of the family dishing out all information, including those of children employed abroad for 6-9 months. It’s only when they are asked to specify the mode of transport used to travel to the work place, they disclose that the inmate is abroad. This leads to unnecessary arguments, with the people insisting on inclusion of names in the enumeration,” the official said.
A senior official pointed out that they are helpless in the matter as they are required to go by the instructions. Admitting that seafarers working abroad return home every 6-9 months, the official said that instruction are crystal clear that names of only those staying in the state are to be included in the census.
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