Caste census must be included in National Census : Telangana Dy CM Bhatti
Hyderabad, Sept 11 (TNT): Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday demanded that caste census be mandatorily included in the national Census to identify social inequalities and ensure justice to weaker sections.
Participating in a discussion on the Census and caste census in the State Legislative Assembly, Bhatti asked BJP members to clearly state whether they supported or opposed conducting a caste census.
He said a comprehensive nationwide survey should be conducted on the lines of the Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment and Political Survey undertaken by the Congress government in Telangana.
A caste census was not an issue concerning any particular caste or political party but one concerning the welfare of society as a whole, he said.
Bhatti said understanding the extent and nature of social inequalities was necessary to address them and that a caste census would provide the data required for formulating appropriate policies.
He said the Telangana survey collected details on the population of different castes, occupations, economic conditions, educational status, employment and unemployment and land ownership.
As Planning Minister, he had personally reviewed the survey process on a daily basis to ensure that it was conducted without scope for errors, Bhatti said.
The survey had emerged as a model for the country and opposition members had also appreciated it when its report was presented in the Assembly, he said.
Bhatti said the Congress had been demanding a nationwide caste census on the lines of the Telangana survey.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had met leaders of various political parties and the Prime Minister in Delhi and urged the Centre to conduct a caste census across the country, he said.
He said a meeting of leaders of political parties was subsequently held in Delhi to explain the Telangana model and emphasise the need for a comprehensive caste census nationwide.
The Deputy Chief Minister recalled that the Centre had earlier stated that caste enumeration would be included in the national Census.
“It is unfortunate that caste census is not being included in the Census currently underway. The Centre should honour its commitment and include the caste census in the national Census,” he said.
“How can the actual conditions of weaker sections of society be identified without a caste census?” Bhatti asked.
He demanded that BJP members make their position clear on the issue.
“If they support a caste census, the Assembly should unanimously call upon the Central Government and the Prime Minister to conduct it. If they oppose it, they should clearly state the same,” he said.
Bhatti said the caste census could be compared to an “X-ray” of society as it would help identify inequalities and provide a clear picture of the population and socio-economic conditions of different communities.
The information could be used to formulate welfare and development policies and ensure that opportunities, resources and benefits of development reach different sections equitably based on their population, he added.
TNT TS
