'Rozgar Guarantee Yojana' for RSS: Jairam Ramesh Slams Census Rule Changes
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleges that the Census Rules 1990 amendment is a 'Rozgar Guarantee Yojana' for RSS and BJP workers.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the central government's decision to amend the Census Rules 1990 amendment. Ramesh alleged that the expansion of eligible enumerators for the upcoming 2027 census is nothing more than a covert employment scheme, or a "Rozgar Guarantee Yojana," designed to benefit thousands of RSS and BJP workers.
The Allegation: A 'Diabolical Design'
Taking to X, the Congress leader claimed that the recent changes to the rules were not administrative improvements but were strategically timed. He asserted that these amendments followed a significant RSS training camp held in Belgaum from July 10 to July 12, 2026, where the primary agenda was reportedly the 2027 Census.
Ramesh further criticized the High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes established by the Union Home Ministry on May 26, 2026. While the committee has sought public inputs from both Indian and foreign organizations regarding demographic shifts, Ramesh mocked the panel's composition, stating that the only "high-level" aspect of the committee is the members' affiliation with the RSS ecosystem.
"This will most certainly further contaminate an already subverted Census. Another institution is being destroyed. Like SIR, the Census will also be dangerously doctored. There are no limits to the diabolical designs of the PM-HM duo," Ramesh stated.
What Changed in the Census Rules?
The controversy stems from a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on October 16, which amended the Census Rules, 1990, under the powers of the Census Act, 1948. The new Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026, significantly widen the net of who can serve as an enumerator.
The updated list of eligible enumerators now includes:
- Teachers: Those working in government institutions, local authorities, and both aided and unaided private bodies, societies, or trusts.
- Government Staff: Clerks and officials from the Central government, state governments, and local authorities.
- Other Establishments: Personnel from public sector undertakings (PSUs), statutory bodies, banks, companies, institutions, societies, and trusts.
Furthermore, the amended rules grant state governments and Union Territory administrations the flexibility to appoint any other person they deem suitable for the role of an enumerator.
A History of Amendments
The original Census Rules were first published in the Gazette of India on December 31, 1990. Since then, they have undergone several revisions to adapt to changing needs, with previous amendments issued in 1994, 2009, 2018, and 2022. However, the 2026 amendment has sparked this latest political firestorm, with the opposition fearing that the data collection process for 2027 may be compromised.