Synopsis
On February 4, the Telangana Assembly approved a resolution urging the Indian government to initiate a nationwide caste survey, following the presentation of a state-level report that raised questions from opposition parties about its findings and the need for accurate representation of backward classes.Key Takeaways
- Telangana Assembly passed a resolution for a nationwide caste survey.
- Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy presented state survey findings.
- Opposition parties expressed doubts about the survey results.
- Government committed to implementing 42 percent reservation for backward classes.
- Survey covered over 3.54 crore people.
Hyderabad, Feb 4 (NationPress) The Telangana Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the Indian government to initiate a caste survey nationwide.
During a special session on Tuesday, the state government presented the findings of its own caste survey. Following an intense debate surrounding the report, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy introduced a resolution that was approved via voice vote.
Members from opposition parties expressed skepticism regarding the results of the caste survey. The principal opposition party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), questioned the decline in the population of backward classes, which fell from 61 percent in 2014 to 56.33 percent as per the integrated household survey.
The BRS insisted that the Congress party fulfill its electoral promise of providing 42 percent reservation for backward classes.
The discussion on the report was marked by heated exchanges between government and opposition members.
BRS and BJP both criticized the Congress government for inconsistencies in the caste survey compared to findings from the integrated household survey conducted by the previous BRS administration.
The Chief Minister questioned the BRS's failure to present the integrated household survey report and criticized BRS leaders for their lack of participation in the caste survey.
He revealed that 3.54 crore individuals participated in the survey and shared comprehensive details, while BRS leaders such as KCR, KTR, and Harish Rao refrained from disclosing their land information.
Earlier, while presenting the report, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy noted the absence of official data regarding weaker sections in the country, which has impeded the implementation of reservation policies.
He highlighted that enumeration of weaker sections has not occurred in India since 1931. The data on weaker sections was included in the national census report, and he accused the BJP-led central government of lacking the will to grant due rights to these groups.
Commending all those involved in preparing the caste census report, the Chief Minister emphasized that it serves as a role model for the nation.
He recalled that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pledged during the Bharat Jodo Yatra to conduct a caste census in Telangana. Upon assuming power, the Congress government honored this promise by adopting a resolution in the Assembly to carry out the caste census.
He stated that the official process for the caste census was completed swiftly, with the report presented in the Assembly today. Enumerators meticulously gathered information from every village and Tanda.
He explained that 150 houses were used as a unit for data collection, with enumerators assigned to gather information. The Chief Minister noted that 76,000 data entry operators worked diligently for 36 days to compile the findings, with a total expenditure of Rs 160 crore for report preparation, adhering to strict guidelines.
The caste survey report was submitted to the Assembly following approval from the state Cabinet.
The Chief Minister assured the Assembly of the government's commitment to uphold social justice, stating that Congress would provide appropriate representation for backward classes by allocating 42 percent of seats in local body elections.
Revanth Reddy mentioned that the caste survey data would be utilized in the execution of welfare schemes.
The caste survey report indicated that backward classes constitute 56.33 percent of the state's population, with 10.08 percent identified as Backward Class Muslims.
As per the Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political, and Caste Survey, 17.43 percent of the population are Scheduled Castes (SCs), 10.45 percent are Scheduled Tribes (STs), and 12.56 percent are Muslims, including 2.48 percent Other Caste (OC) Muslims.
The OCs represent 13.31 percent of the overall population.
The extensive door-to-door household survey encompassed 3,54,77,554 individuals and 1,12,15,134 families.
The government reported that 96.9 percent of households in the state were surveyed over a span of 50 days. According to the data, 16 lakh people (3.1 percent) chose not to participate for various reasons. Enumerators encountered 1.03 lakh locked homes, while 1.68 lakh families were reluctant to engage.
