Mon Mar 10 17:15:43 UTC 2025: ## Parliamentary Panel Urges Speedy Census, Rohingya Repatriation
**New Delhi, March 10, 2025** – A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has called for the immediate completion of the long-delayed Census and the repatriation of illegally settled Rohingya refugees. In its 252nd report, tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, the committee, headed by BJP’s Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, recommended that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) take decisive action to identify and return Rohingya individuals to their countries of origin.
The report highlights the ongoing influx of immigrants, including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, and suggests leveraging existing digital platforms like Aadhaar and mobile phone data for real-time population monitoring and verification. This, the committee believes, would improve data accuracy and reduce manual cross-checking.
The Census, originally scheduled for 2021, has been postponed indefinitely. While ₹1,309.46 crore was initially allocated for the Census and National Population Register (NPR) updation in the 2024-25 Union Budget, this was reduced to ₹572 crore due to the postponement. The MHA has stated that preparatory work continues and additional funds will be requested as needed. The 2025-26 budget estimate for Census-related activities stands at ₹574.80 crore, covering salaries, technological updates, and the maintenance of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) data centre.
The committee also commended the MHA’s efforts in strengthening border infrastructure but urged the government to expedite ongoing fencing projects and conduct regular assessments to address any gaps. The report emphasizes efficient allocation of funds to strategically prioritize border security.
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