Ludhiana, June 11 -- The district education officer (DEO) has reportedly directed government school teachers who are currently not assigned any census duty to register for the ongoing drug and socio-economic census, triggering fresh concerns among teachers despite earlier assurances that participation would remain voluntary.

In a communication sent to block nodal officers, the DEO's office shared a list of teachers who have not been assigned any departmental duty and instructed officials to ensure that they register for the survey according to their respective assembly constituencies.

The latest directive came days after the office of the electoral registration officer-gill (SC)-cum-regional transport officer allotted survey-related dut...