Bhubaneswar, April 22: Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari on Wednesday chaired a review meeting with the Revenue Secretary and census officials to address issues faced during the ongoing enumeration process.

After the meeting, the Minister announced that in view of the prevailing heatwave, census work will remain suspended between 11 AM and 3 PM. District Collectors have been directed to ensure that no fieldwork is carried out during these hours.

He further informed that Collectors will monitor the basic requirements of personnel engaged in census duties. The state government has also held discussions with the Home Department to ensure adequate security arrangements for enumerators.

Highlighting the involvement of teachers in the exercise, the Minister said steps will be taken to ensure that academic activities and the mid-day meal programme in schools are not disrupted. Over one lakh personnel, including 312 charge officers, have been deployed for the census, with a majority being teachers.

On the reported death of a census worker in Subarnapur, the Minister said a report has been sought from the District Collector as no post-mortem has been conducted yet.

In a separate incident in Kamakhyanagar, where a census official was allegedly assaulted, the Minister has spoken to the Superintendent of Police and directed immediate action.