TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The 6th Economic Census, which is due to be conducted in the State between July-October, would for the first time identify religion-wise proprietorship of businesses.
Handicraft establishments, traditional occupants and self-help groups would also be covered under this census, which is a complete count of all establishments/ units located within Goa. The information collected will be used for planning purposes and to assess the contribution of various sectors.
Another major shift is that for the first time transgender people will also be covered in the gender identity column in addition to the male and female category.
Speaking to media persons, Vijay Saxena, joint director, Directorate of Planning and Statistics, said that for the first time, transgender column would be made available in the Census form.
Saxena said emphasis would be laid on identifying the traditional occupants with the aim of identifying the number of people that have migrated to urban areas leaving behind their traditional occupations. He said that government of Goa would also be maintaining an Establishment/Business register highlighting the complete profile of entrepreneur and its establishment, carried out within the boundaries of Goa.
The Economic Census is being carried out under the aegis of the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India. As per 2005 Economic Census, Goa had around 77,000 establishments and 3.75 lakh household were enumerated. This year, considering the population census of the State, we are expecting around one lakh establishments and four lakh household enumerations, he said. The exercise would be conducted by around 800 anganwadi workers, who would visit every household to get the details about the economic activity including activities in unorganized sector.
All establishments ~ whether households or non–households, organized or unorganized, big or small, private or public sector ~ are enumerated under the census. The officials admit that the wide gap between organized and unorganized sector is exposed after the Economic Census.
Casinos also covered
PANJIM: Anti-casino protestors and citizens will tear their hair out to learn that earning through gambling in casinos and the entire casino business is considered as an economic activity in Goa, according to Union government’s forthcoming Economic Census.
Thankfully, but rather ironically, the local version of gambling on the streets ~ matka has not been covered under the Census as it has no legal validity in the State and even as it is a poor cousin of white collar gambling in casinos.
“Since casinos are legally permitted in the State, we will consider earnings through casino gambling as an economic activity… casinos are not just gambling but there is revenue generation,” Sunil Jain, deputy Director General (DDG), Economic Census, told reporters on Tuesday.
Jain said in the States where casino gambling is illegal, the activity would not be covered under the census. He said that the activities of domestic help (maids) and gambling and betting which is legally not permitted would not be covered.
“Matka would not be covered under the census as it is illegal as per government,” he said.
Vijay Saxena, joint director, Directorate of Planning and Statistics, said that in the Economic Census, all units engaged in production or distribution of goods or services other than for the sole purpose of own consumption will be counted.
“All establishments engaged in agricultural and non-agricultural activities will be covered, but establishments engaged in crop production and plantation will not be covered,” he said.
