‘SECC won’t be completed before 2014’

After '400 crores spent and 25 crore families surveyed, Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) may be completed only in 2014. Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on Monday admitted that only three smaller states Nagaland, Haryana and Sikkim, have so far published their enumeration data, while majority of states have not yet informed when they would do so. Mr Ramesh said that Indira Awas Yojna (IAY) would be the first scheme to use the data of the SECC from April 1, 2014 to give Central assistance for the housing needs of the homeless. While the SECC has missed its deadline of December 2011 set by the Union Cabinet, the exercise appears to be progressing at a snail’s pace. “The states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Kerala have not yet informed when they propose to publish the enumeration data at the gram panchayat levels,” Mr Ramesh told reporters on Monday. After that, the crucial claims and objections are addressed by the officials before a final list is prepared. But only Nagaland, Haryana and Sikkim have been able to publish the enumeration data so far. Orissa has informed the Centre that it would be publishing the first list on November 15. Other states like West Bengal (October 20), Uttarakhand (October 15) have shared their progress with the Centre on the census. Gujarat, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh would be publishing their first enumeration list by October 31, said Mr Ramesh. The Union minister said that IAY would be the first scheme to start using the data of the SECC from April 1, 2014. The IAY from the next financial year would do away with the BPL list and use the data of the SECC to assist the homeless in building their homes on a priority basis.