KATHMANDU: Nepal is conducting the Nepal National Population and Housing Census 2021 next year, the first time after the promulgation of the new constitution and under the new federal system.
In this regard, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) has initiated preparations to conduct the Census in a new era under the 2015 Constitution of Nepal and the system.
The 2021 census is going to be different as it helps to implement federalism in the spirit of the Constitution by demonstrating a comprehensive picture of the social living conditions of the people.
Presenting the idea of the census at an interaction titled “National Population and Housing Census 2021” organized by Khabarhub at the Pavilion Hall in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Director General of Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Nebin Lal Shrestha said that the next national population and housing census’s data will show the gaps at the local level and help identify the demand and need of communities.
“It will help implement federalism in the spirit of the 2015 Constitution by showing a comprehensive picture of the social living conditions of the people to help federal, provincial and municipal governments chart actions accordingly,” he said.
In the interaction supported by Prabhu Bank and participated by parliamentarians, former ministers, government bureaucrats, experts, and entrepreneurs, Director-General Shrestha said that CBS would determine the best number of questionnaires and use new technology to improve data collection and processing.
Participants at the interaction.Shrestha informed that the enumeration area maps are being prepared and used extensively to minimize coverage errors.
Speaking on the occasion, former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey said suggested the CBS collect data on the basis of the profession as there have been confusions while categorizing a farmer.
Pandey also suggested the CBS prioritize other professions as well besides agriculture.
He said several political issues will be addressed if the data of the migratory population and permanent residents are collected separately. “One of the major concerns is about collecting the data of the Nepali people staying temporarily or permanently in a foreign land,” Pandey said.
Lawmaker Ram Kumari Jhakri said the CBS needs to work towards addressing some theoretical aspects before conducting the census. “Since this is a lengthy process, more discussions need to be carried out,” she said.
Parliamentarian Ram Babu Kumar Yadav emphasized that the CBS should first categorize the farmers to ensure exact data. “We cannot put a farmer owning 100 chickens and another farmer having five chickens in the same basket,” he said.
He also suggested the CBS collect the data of Nepali laborers working abroad and Indian workers in Nepal.
Political analyst Debesh Jha said the government should find out the economic activities and the expenditure capacity of the people as well.
Parsuram Tamang, a civil society leader, speaks in the program.Parshuram Tamang, a civil society leader, suggested the CBS incorporate all languages spoken by a certain community.
According to the CBS, census helps ascertain the number of people who live in the country and the structure of the society, determine the number of people who can pay taxes, and supports to estimate the amount of revenue that can be obtained from the sector.
Likewise, the population census also assists the government and international agencies in supporting the country; to calculate the country’s economic needs, for example, electricity, housing, food, etc., to determine the number of unemployed/living standards of citizens, among others.
The population census will also help to formulate policies for a nation such as- revenue formula can be based on population figures as well as estimate the number of migrants and immigrants, among others.
The data of the total population of Nepal from the first-ever population census of Nepal till latest population census:
The first population census of Nepal was conducted in 1911 A.D. However, the census conducted in 1952/54 is considered to be the first modern census of Nepal introducing internationally comparable concepts, definitions, and classifications.
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