KMC mandates teacher participation in census duty, warns of fines and jail

Following the completion of the SIR process, the upcoming Census 2027 operations have officially been initiated in the state, bringing school staff under strict mandatory obligations. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has officially dispatched a directive to the office of the District School Inspector regarding the compulsory involvement of educational personnel. This administrative letter explicitly dictates that the participation of teachers, assistant teachers, and clerks in the Census 2027 exercise is completely non-negotiable.

The communication outlines severe legal ramifications for any eligible personnel who refuse to execute their designated census duties without providing a valid, substantiated reason. According to the directive, non-compliance will directly trigger punitive legal actions under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948. If individuals are found guilty under this central legislation, they can face a maximum monetary fine of Rs 1,000, a maximum imprisonment term of up to 3 years, or both.

While internal sources within the District School Inspector's office have indicated that requests might be put forward to exempt certain teachers in the direct interest of maintaining student education, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has remained completely reluctant to entertain any such appeals. The letter stresses that there should be absolutely no reluctance displayed by the staff and that the federal duty must be compulsorily executed. Concluding the notice, the District School Inspector has been instructed to immediately pass down these firm guidelines to the headmasters of all regional schools.