Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will introduce a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to protect officials engaged in census work across the state.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced the decision after receiving reports of attacks and health issues among field workers.
Pujari said conducting door-to-door census operations has become a major challenge due to the ongoing heatwave and isolated incidents of violence. He convened a meeting with revenue and census officers to discuss safety measures and coordination.
The minister emphasised that the government holds responsibility for the safety of both employees and citizens. He confirmed discussions with the Home Secretary and the Director General of Police regarding areas where attacks occurred.
Pujari stated that the administration will trace and arrest the attackers even if they attempt to hide underground. He described the heatwave as a serious concern, noting that several census workers fell ill while performing duties under extreme conditions.
Officials will soon release detailed guidelines outlining protective measures, emergency response protocols, and coordination between departments. The SOP aims to ensure smooth census operations while safeguarding personnel from physical harm and heat-related risks.