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| High-level demography panel to visit states, including border areas of Jammu | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, July 1: The High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes, constituted by the Centre on May 26, 2026, to examine demographic shifts arising from illegal immigration and other abnormal factors, on Wednesday briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah on its roadmap for conducting a nationwide assessment, including extensive visits to States and Union Territories.
During a courtesy meeting at the Home Minister's residence, the committee informed Shah that it would undertake field visits across the country to gather first-hand information from State Governments and Union Territory administrations.
It will also hold consultations with various Central Ministries to obtain feedback on issues related to demographic changes and their socio-economic, administrative and security implications.
According to officials, the committee has prepared a comprehensive questionnaire that will be circulated to States and Union Territories in advance so that relevant information is available before the visits, making the exercise more focused, meaningful, and interactive.
Appreciating the committee's strategy, the Union Home Minister directed the Union Home Secretary to extend all necessary logistical and administrative support for its day-to-day functioning as well as its visits across the country. Shah also asked the committee to expedite its work and submit its recommendations at the earliest to facilitate timely policy interventions.
The committee assumes particular significance for Jammu and Kashmir, especially the border districts of the Jammu region, where demographic issues linked to illegal immigration, cross-border infiltration, migration, and settlement patterns have remained a matter of concern for security agencies and policymakers over the years. The committee is expected to examine such issues on the ground while interacting with the Union Territory administration and other stakeholders during its visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the launch of a "High-powered Demography Mission" during his Independence Day address on August 15, 2025, following which the Ministry of Home Affairs constituted the High-Level Committee on May 26, 2026, to scientifically study demographic changes across the country.
The committee has been entrusted with assessing demographic changes caused by illegal immigration and other abnormal reasons, analysing the factors responsible for such shifts, and recommending appropriate policy, legislative and administrative measures to address them.
The panel is headed by Justice (Retd.) Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar. Its members include the Census Commissioner, former IAS officer Durga Shankar Mishra, former IPS officer Balaji Srivastava, and economist Dr. Shamika Ravi, a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council.
The government has tasked the committee with conducting a scientific assessment of demographic trends across different parts of the country, identifying their underlying causes, and recommending measures to safeguard national security, strengthen governance and ensure balanced socio-economic development in areas affected by abnormal demographic changes. |
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