States stumped as demography panel seeks religion-wise data on vehicles, schools, voters

State governments are unable to answer most of the queries posed by a high-level committee studying demographic changes, as government departments do not ordinarily maintain much of the information sought by the panel on a religion-wise basis.

The High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC) has sought religion-wise data for the past 15 years on birth and vehicle registrations, school enrolment and property transactions, as well as district-wise details of religious structures and unusual increases in Aadhaar, voter ID and ration card registrations. It has also sought intelligence assessments and commission reports on religious conversions among Scheduled Tribe communities, and details of operational detention centres, among other information.