Census to take note of sex workers, 'third gender'

"In the new addition to the census form, the third gender would be counted as 'others', besides male and female genders. Prostitution will be considered separate from begging in the category of 'other' occupation," Maharashtra Director of Census, Ranjeetsing Deol said.

The census exercise in Maharashtra will be held from February 9 to 28 and a revision round in the first week of March, he said.

The Date of Birth column will be among the new columns introduced in the census. Three more categories of physically challenged people have been included besides the earlier five.

Some NGOs are helping the Government to register beggars. Foreigners staying in the country for over 21 days would also be counted, he added.
"The physically challenged people would have eight categories which will help prepare a detailed report on their status. The objective is to enable the Government to take measures for them," he said.

On counting those belonging to the other backward classes (OBCs), Deol said only after instructions from the Centre, would the census register the required information.
The Schedules Castes and Tribes would be recorded in the census, he added.

On teachers being given census duty, Deol said they have not been given any concession from this duty in the Census Act and Right to Education Act, he said.
There is no need to close schools since teachers can work daily for four hours to complete the census, he added.