Mangaluru: Enumerators engaged in the ongoing census and house-listing exercise in Puttur and Kadaba taluks of Dakshina Kannada district have raised concerns over the lack of basic safety measures, transport facilities and essential work kits, urging the district administration to take immediate action.In a petition submitted to the deputy commissioner through the Puttur sub-division assistant commissioner Stella Varghese, the field staff, comprising govt employees and teachers, brought to light the difficult conditions under which they are carrying out door-to-door data collection across remote villages, forest fringes and hilly terrain. They said many are forced to walk several kilometres daily due to poor connectivity and lack of public transport, often arranging vehicles at their own expense. The enumerators pointed out that despite the critical importance of census work in shaping policy and governance, they have not been provided with even basic protective gear such as identity badges, water bottles, umbrellas, first-aid kits or power banks for digital devices. The absence of travel allowance and safety provisions has added to their hardship. Women enumerators, in particular, have expressed concern over safety during travel and while working in isolated areas, especially during evening hours. The petition has called for group-based assignments and specific safety guidelines for female staff. With temperatures rising in the region, enumerators also warned of health risks such as dehydration, fatigue and heat-related illnesses, recommending revised work schedules that avoid peak afternoon heat.Among their key demands are the provision of transport facilities in remote areas, distribution of complete enumeration kits, travel allowances, accident insurance and the setting up of taluk-level control rooms and helplines for emergency support. Stressing that a safe working environment is a basic right, the enumerators have urged the district administration to conduct field inspections and address their grievances without delay, even as they continue to carry out one of the country’s most crucial data-gathering exercises.
