SANGRUR, March 18 -- The Punjab school education department has directed district authorities to mobilise teachers and office staff as enumerators for the state's upcoming first drug and socio-economic census, triggering fresh backlash from teachers' unions over the continued assignment of non-academic duties.

In an order issued on March 13, the director of school education (secondary) instructed all district education officers (DEOs) to deploy the maximum number of eligible staff as enumerators for the survey, scheduled to begin on April 5 and conclude within 45 days.

Announced by finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema during the state budget presentation on March 8, the drug census is a key part of the government's "Yudh Nashian Virudh"...