DHAKA: Several changes have been made to the census questionnaire on ethnic groups for the National Census 2011 to get the real picture of the indigenous people in the country.  

The new questionnaire has given importance to the ethnic groups and disabled people—as both deserve special attention.
 
Besides, the number of questions has been reduced to 25 from 28 for collecting information easier and faster.
 
Ashim Kumar Dey, director of the census project, told banglanews24.com.bd that collecting information would be easier and faster for recasting the questionnaire.

He also said, “All the information has been included in the new questionnaire in spite of changing it.”

But Member of Parliament Fazley Hossain Badsha, who leads a campaign for uplift of the ethnic groups, differed with the project director. He claimed that it would not get any clear-cut idea about the indigenous peoples of the country.

“There should have been questions about their languages and working patterns as well,” he said.

Without the information on sources of income of a household and the employment status, the whole scenario would not be clear, the lawmaker observed.

The 5th population census and household census programme of Bangladesh would get off to a countrywide start in March 2011.

Bangladesh Statistical Bureau completed the primary work for renewing ‘GEO code’ and map modifying ahead of the census.

An army of 330,000 workers will be employed for population count across the country in 23 zones.

The census questionnaire would give emphasis on individual information rather than group information with a set of 13 questions about an individual, which were 12 previously. Apart from this, the new questionnaire has included questions about disabled family.

The previous questionnaire did not provide the number and demographic pattern of people.

Besides, the question on indigenous people in the house-count module has been modified.

But it is apprehended that the new census questionnaire would not be able to clarify information on individual income source, the number of able people for income and the dependant population.

Besides, social status of an individual would not be clear, as the working status questions have been removed, the critics pointed out.

Information-collecting method also has been changed. Most of the questions would be placed for the tick or cross options.

The question paper would also be clearer as it is made bigger at A-3 size instead of A-4.

The government would spend a total of Tk 87.55 crore on the project and different donor agencies would finance a total of Tk 90 crore through UNFP to complete the census.

US Census Bureau would give the technical support through USAID and UNFPA and the EU would provide some 23 vehicles, bags, pencils, rulers, and erasers with other necessary equipment for the zonal offices of the census project.

BDST: 1821 HRS, JULY 7, 2010