Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday reviewed the functioning of the Office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner and took stock of preparation for 2021 census, an official statement said.He also stressed on the need to have "geo referenced map pertaining to all villages and towns" in a high level meeting attended by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Registrar General of India Sailesh and senior officers of the office of RGI and Home Ministry.Rajnath Singh discussed the progress of update of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, completion of the activities relating to National Population Register, measures to improve and strengthen the Civil Registration System and the road map for undertaking the census in 2021, a Home Ministry statement said.The RGI briefed Rajnath Singh about the other functions of the organisation relating to language, social studies and map divisions.In regard to the update of NRC in Assam, the Minister was informed that a draft list regarding the verification of 1.9 crore applicants has been completed and published on December 31 last year as per the directions of the Supreme Court, the statement said.
"Another draft list comprising remaining applicants will be published subsequently after completion of their verification. The process is being undertaken in a fair and objective manner and under monitoring of theA Supreme Court."After the publication of the complete draft NRC, claims and objections will be invited, it said. Rajnath Singh was informed that the works relating to National Population Register updated in 2015 have been completed in most of the states.The activities like firming up the design, stakeholders meeting and pilot exercise in selected states required to be undertaken in 2018 in regard to the census 2021 was also discussed in the meeting with the Minister, said the statement.He was also informed about the progress of Civil Registration System.In the meeting, the officials informed the minister that registration level of births and deaths in the country is 88 and 76.6 per cent respectively.Rajnath Singh was also informed that the vital rates for 2016 under sample registration stem have been released, and according to that all India level birth rate is 20.4, death rate is 6.4 and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 34.