Begusarai, Bihar: A new controversy has erupted in the Teghra block of Begusarai district ahead of the Government of India's Census-2027. Allegations have surfaced regarding the disregard of Census Directorate guidelines in the appointment of field officers for preparing the District Census Handbook (DCHB). This arbitrary action is raising questions about the quality and impartiality of this crucial national exercise.

It is alleged that during the deployment of field officers in Teghra block, the rules stipulated in Circular No. 09 of the Directorate were not followed. These rules mandate that block-level officers should be appointed as field officers to ensure effective coordination with various departments and accurate data collection. However, the order issued by the current Charge Officer-cum-BPRO Sangeeta Kumari has reportedly appointed female supervisors, Anganwadi workers, and contractual staff from the Block Resource Center as field officers.

According to experts, the DCHB is a highly significant census document that forms the basis for future government schemes, administrative decisions, and policy formulation. Recognizing its sensitivity, the Census Directorate has issued specific guidelines for its preparation. The disregard for rules and the appointment of unqualified personnel could compromise the quality of this vital document, potentially affecting the entire census process. This issue has sparked widespread discussion among administrative circles and local residents.