Caste Survey Done, Data To Be Made Public Soon: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar stated that the caste survey will be beneficial for all sections of society and will help the government reach every section of the society.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Friday that the caste-based survey has been completed and data is now being compiled. The information will then be made public. He asserted that the caste survey would be beneficial for all sections of the society. "The caste-based headcount exercise in the state has been completed. Now the data is being compiled and it will soon be made public," news agency PTI quoted him. He said that the survey will help the government work for the development of different sections of society, including those who are from the deprived section of the society. 

The Bihar CM said that this data will help the government know which areas require development. He believes that other states will soon follow suit. 

Speaking on some political parties that opposed the caste-based count, he said that the decision was taken unanimously by leaders of all political parties, including the BJP, in the state. Hence, he said, that he wasn't "bothered" by what the BJP said now.  

“I can say that the survey report will help the government in better implementation of welfare schemes for socially and economically disadvantaged groups. We have been in favour of the caste census right from the very beginning," Kumar was quoted by PTI. He commented on the Centre’s move to seek permission from the Supreme Court to file its response in the ongoing caste-based survey. He said the apex court never gave a direction to put the exercise on hold. He further said that the Patna High Court had dismissed a batch of pleas that challenged the validity of the Bihar caste survey and termed the state government's “initiative perfectly valid and legally competent”. 

The Centre had recently moved the Supreme Court and sought permission to intervene in the ongoing hearing in the court on a batch of PILs that challenged the Patna High Court order that upheld the state’s decision.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the issue may have consequences and the government should be allowed to file its response on the legal issues involved in the cases without taking sides. The Supreme Court agreed with his plea and granted the Centre a week to file an affidavit. The hearing has been set for August 28 for the petitions against the Bihar government’s decision to hold the caste survey.