Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on 1 May 2025 stated that only Indian residents will be permitted to participate in the national census, explicitly ruling out Bangladeshi and other foreign nationals from the exercise. The minister made the announcement at a press conference in Nagpur on Maharashtra Foundation Day, where he also addressed issues ranging from digital census logistics to agricultural support and land encroachment.

India's First Digital Census: How It Works

Bawankule announced that the 8th census of independent India will be conducted digitally for the first time. A Self-Enumeration window has been opened from 1 May to 15 May 2025, during which citizens can upload their personal data on the official digital portal.

From 16 May to 14 June, government enumerators will visit homes to verify the submitted data using mobile applications. The census will capture information on housing, religion, caste, literacy, employment, and migration — all critical inputs for national policy-making. The minister confirmed that caste-wise data columns are available in the self-enumeration app and will remain accessible during the physical verification phase.

"The census is a cornerstone of our democracy. I appeal to every citizen of Maharashtra to participate in this digital drive to ensure accurate data for the country's future planning," Bawankule stated.

Local Jobs First: MoUs Worth ₹17 Lakh Crore

Addressing concerns about wages flowing out of Maharashtra to workers from other states, Bawankule said the government is prioritising local employment. He noted that MoUs worth ₹17 lakh crore have been signed with various companies, with the government pushing for 80% reservation for locals in these new projects.

"While technical experts may come from outside initially, the long-term workforce remains local," he stated. This comes amid growing public concern in Maharashtra about job displacement due to migrant labour inflows — a politically sensitive issue ahead of future electoral cycles.

Farmer Support: ₹1,000 Crore Provision

Reiterating the government's pro-farmer stance, the minister said the state is committed to supporting farmers even if it means scaling back other developmental works. A provision of ₹1,000 crore has been made to ensure year-round road connectivity, electricity, and water reach every farm. Strict monitoring mechanisms are in place to prevent exploitation during fertiliser distribution.

Land Encroachment Rules and Official Accountability

On the sensitive issue of land encroachment, Bawankule clarified that only residential encroachments on government land before 1 January 2011, measuring up to 1,500 square feet, will be considered for legalisation. He also announced a new performance ranking system for officials from Talathis to District Collectors, with high-performers to be officially honoured.

As Maharashtra's digital census window enters its first fortnight, the state's ability to drive accurate, inclusive participation — while enforcing its stated exclusions — will be closely watched by administrators and citizens alike.