Coronavirus | First Phase Of Census 2021, NPR Updation Exercise Postponed Until Further Orders: MHA

With a complete lockdown across India to fight the spread of coronavirus, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to postpone the updation work for National Population Register (NPR) and phase one of the Census till further orders. The updation of NPR was proposed to be done along with the Phase I of Census 2021 in all the States and Union Territories (UTs), except Assam. The process was scheduled to being in February next year.

“Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, high alert has been declared by the Government of India as well as the States/Union Territories. Lockdown has also been declared by many State/UT governments. Keeping in view the above, the first phase of Census 2021 and updation of NPR, which was to begin on various dates decided by the State/UT governments beginning  April 1, 2020 and various related field activities, are postponed until further orders,” Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Wednesday.

ALSO READ | Coronavirus: Life Insurance For Healthcare Professionals, Media, Police In Uttarakhand

The WHO has declared coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) a pandemic, which has wreaked havoc globally, including in India.

The number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 562 on Wednesday while the death toll due to COVID-19 in the country was revised down to nine, according to the Union health ministry data.

The ministry in its updated figures on Wednesday morning, stated that the second death reported in Delhi was COVID-19 negative, thus bringing down the death toll to nine in India.

In Delhi, 30 cases of coronavirus have been reported including a death.

ALSO READ | What Coronavirus Lockdown? Yogi Adityanath Holds Special Function For Ram Lalla In Ayodhya

Many people have been rushing to markets to buy essential food items and hand sanitisers, especially since the lockdown announced by the Delhi government on Saturday.