The Punjab administration launched the census on May 5, 2026, deploying 28,000 staff to survey 65 lakh households.
The state budget allocated ₹150 crore for the exercise, yet BJP claims the actual expenditure reached ₹250 crore, a discrepancy the party says masks a hidden agenda.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema replied that the data is still under analysis and will be released when ready, dismissing the BJP’s accusations as political mud‑slinging.
One of the teachers recruited for the survey, Mr. Singh of Ludhiana, said the questionnaire felt intrusive but was part of a larger anti‑drug push, noting that many families were reluctant to answer.
With the 2027 assembly elections approaching, the dispute over the census adds fresh pressure on the AAP-led government to defend its anti‑drug campaign while the BJP seeks to turn the findings into a political weapon.
Jakhar has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding a CBI probe into alleged drug‑trafficking networks tied to administrative officials, a move that could trigger a federal investigation before the polls.