News Wrap: The 2011 Census of India
March 15, 2012
On Tuesday, the Registrar General of India released the final figures for the first phase of the 2011 Census – known as the Houselisting and Housing Census. The data revealed several interesting facets of the Indian economy. While at one end it highlights the improvement in the material well-being for large sections of the society, it also paints a picture of stark contrast and disparity in India. Below is a roundup of various opinions and analysis from leading Indian newspapers.
India trades up, finds census
Source: Mint
The latest round of data on the 2011 Census shows that the country is exhibiting distinct signs of trading up as material living conditions improve for large sections of the population. Although this aggregate picture is not uniform across the country, analysts believe that the upward material mobility in society is creating the basis of a new consumer boom in the economy—serving up a perfect backdrop ahead of the presentation of the Union budget on 16 March.
Census 2011 data sheds light on changing nation
Source: www.investmoneyinindia.com
As per the Census 2011 data on household amenities and assets, half of India’s population may not have a toilet at home but they are not without a mobile phone. Census 2011 data, which was released on Tuesday, brought to light that 49.8 per cent Indian households defecate in open but in sharp contrast 63.2 per cent households own a telephone connection, 53.2 per cent of them a mobile.
Financial inclusion is still a long way off: Census
Source: The Hindu Business Line
The first phase of the 2011 Census has thrown the gaps in financial inclusion into stark relief. While urban India has been getting access to, and avails itself of banking services at a rising rate, large areas of rural India are still severely under banked.
Half of India’s homes have cellphones, but not toilets
Source: The Hindu
Though half of all Indians do not have a toilet at home, well over half own a telephone, new census data released on Tuesday show. These and many other contrasting facts of life have come out in Census 2011. The data on housing, household amenities and assets cast new light on a country in the throes of a complex transition, where millions have access to state-of-the-art technologies and consumer goods — but a larger number lacks access to the most rudimentary facilities.
Just 8% Indians have Internet
Source: Daily News & Analysis
Though known for its computer whizkids world over, the penetration of computers/ laptops in India is only 9.4% or less than one out of 10 households with only 3% having internet facility. The penetration of internet is 8% in urban as compared to less than 1% in rural area.
200 million Indians have no TV, phone or radio
Source: The Economic Times
One-sixth of the country, or 200 million Indians, don’t possess any of the most basic assets like a transistor or TV, phone, vehicle of any kind or a computer. In three states – Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and MP- close to a third of the households own none of these assets.
Only 5% families in India own a four-wheeler
Source: The Tribune
In a telling reminder of the wide chasm between urban and rural India, the latest Census being conducted by the Union Home Ministry has thrown up figures that would shock country planners. Despite significant improvement in living standards over the last census of 2001, the 2011 figures show a picture that is far from respectable for a country aiming to be on the global high-table of decision making.
Only 43.5 percent Indians use tap water
Source: Deccan Herald
According to data released by Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh on Tuesday, only 47 percent of households have source of water within the premises while 36 percent of households have to fetch water from a source located within 500 m in rural areas and 100 m in urban areas.