Key Facts and Data Points
- Bill Proposal: Private Member’s Bill to amend the Census Act, 1948 for a mandatory nationwide census every ten years.
- Current Practice: India conducts a decennial census, but it is not legally mandated.
- Private Member’s Bills (PMBs):
- Introduced by MPs who are not Ministers.
- Since Independence, only 14 PMBs have become law; none have passed both Houses since 1970.
- Procedure for PMBs:
- Drafting & submission with at least one month’s notice.
- Introduction in Parliament.
- Limited debate, usually on Friday afternoons.
- Vote or withdrawal.
Background and Context
- The Census Act, 1948 provides the legal framework for conducting censuses in India.
- Demographic data is crucial for:
- Allocation of panchayat, district, and state funds.
- Planning of health, education, and social welfare schemes.
- Electoral delimitation and representation.
- The last census was conducted in 2011; the 2021 census was delayed due to the pandemic.
Significance for India / Governance / Policy
- Legal Mandate would ensure consistency, reduce political discretion, and safeguard against postponements.
- Reliable data aids policy formulation, resource allocation, and monitoring of SDGs.
- Strengthens federal‑state fiscal relations by providing an objective basis for fund distribution.
Related Constitutional / Legal Provisions
- Article 324 (Election Commission) and Article 326 (Delimitation) rely on up‑to‑date census data.
- Article 243 (Panchayats) and Article 243P (Municipalities) require population‑based criteria for grants.
- Finance Commission recommendations are based on census‑derived population figures.
Private Member’s Bills – Legislative Insight
- PMBs are a democratic tool for non‑government MPs to raise issues.
- Their low success rate reflects government dominance in law‑making but also highlights the importance of parliamentary scrutiny.
References: Census in India