Self-Enumeration for Census Begins in West Bengal; CM Says Data Will Support Welfare Delivery

PTI, August 1, 2026, Kolkata: The self-enumeration exercise for India's 16th Census began in West Bengal on Saturday, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari saying the survey would create a permanent record for genuine beneficiaries, as he drew a clear distinction between illegal immigrants and refugees.

Adhikari, however, clarified that the Census exercise and illegal immigration were separate issues.

Facing questions over the status of people not included in the voter list and facing SIR tribunals, Adhikari said illegal immigrants from Bangladesh were ineligible for welfare benefits and would be sent back as "we will not be able to feed them".

However, those covered under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be treated as refugees, not infiltrators, the Chief Minister affirmed.

After filling in his details on the official Census website, marking the launch of the self-enumeration phase of the decennial survey, Adhikari said the Census data would be used to create a permanent record for extending aid under government welfare schemes to eligible beneficiaries.

"Once the information comes in February, people will not have to submit documents repeatedly for social aid. They don't have to stand in queues for every social scheme, caste certificates or benefits. A permanent record will be created. It will help take the state forward in the coming days," the Chief Minister said.

The window for the first phase of the once-in-a-decade population survey will remain open from August 1 to August 15, during which people can submit their details through the official portal, se.census.gov.in.

This will be followed by a house-listing phase from August 16 to September 14, during which information on the condition of housing, household amenities and assets possessed will be collected.

About the exclusion of names under the SIR of electoral rolls and the ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate) list of voters, Adhikari said many of those who figure in the list have not challenged it.

"Out of the 27 lakh people who were given an opportunity to approach the SIR tribunal, around seven lakh had applied. The rest have not submitted any application or appeal so far," he said.

The CM further said that until the entire process was completed, it would not be possible to determine whether those who had not made any claim as voters would later seek recognition as Indian citizens.

"There are two kinds of people who have come to Bengal from Bangladesh. One category is that of infiltrators. They will not stay in Bengal. They will be identified, verified and sent back. We will not be able to feed them," Adhikari said.

The Chief Minister asserted that Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Jains from other countries are not infiltrators but refugees under the CAA.