New Delhi, Oct 30(ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said that direct data collection for the National Population Register (NPR) is in progress in the coastal villages of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, where the biographical details of more than 20 lakh residents and biometric details of more than 1 lakh residents have been recorded.

As regards to Census 2011, the report said that field survey work for the preparation of geo-referenced enumeration blocks bas been completed in 1100 wards out of 2018 wards in 33 capital cities.

Chidambaram also informed that Rs 5.61 crore was sanctioned for the procurement of 337 new vehicles for the recently created 29 police stations and 9 sub-divisions of Delhi Police, while Rs 1.73 crore was released to Dadra and Nagar Haveli for 2009-10 under the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Scheme.

The report also said that East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction (Amendment) Act, 2001 was extended to the Union Territory of Chandigarh by notification dated on October 9. During the month, the powers and functions of the Central Government under the Delhi Municipal Act, 1957, save a few powers, were delegated to Delhi Government by an order dated October 26, following which a long standing demand of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has been fulfilled.

The delegation of powers is in accordance with the recommendations of several committees appointed in the past, the report said.

Chidambaram added that the Third Finance Commission for the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep submitted its report today. He also informed that the report will be processed and appropriate decisions will be taken soon.

The report also said that the Government has accepted the proposal of Orissa Government to change the name of the State from “Orissa” to “Odisha” and the name of the language from “Oriya” to “Odia”.

A Bill in this regard would be introduced in Parliament, it added. (ANI)