'Have Completed Headcount Before Bihar': Chhattisgarh CM Baghel On Caste-Based Census

Bhupesh Baghel claimed that the state had completed its caste-based census headcount before Bihar. He also said that the government intends to implement the reservation policy based on the results.

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel (File Photo)

Source : PTI

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Saturday that the state has completed its headcount even before Bihar, as far as caste-based census is concerned. He further added that based on the census the state government is planning to bring the reservation policy. 

"As far as caste-based census is concerned, Chhattisgarh completed its headcount even before Bihar. And based on that we are bringing the reservation policy," the chief minister was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI. 

Raipur, Chhattisgarh | As far as caste-based census is concerned, Chhattisgarh completed its headcount even before Bihar. And based on that we are bringing the reservation policy: Bhupesh Baghel, CM Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/YA61yqgrqH

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) February 18, 2023

Slamming the previous chief minister of the state, Baghel said: "Raman Singh says we have taken many loans. February is half gone our govt. hasn’t taken any loans. In March we may. Just compare it to loans taken by MP and UP. So money management can also be done by Kisaan’s son and I have done it. Even after running all schemes," according to ANI. 

Raman Singh says we have taken many loans. February is half gone our govt. hasn’t taken any loans. In March we may. Just compare it to loans taken by MP and UP. So money management can also be done by Kisaan’s son and I have done it. Even after running all schemes: Bhupesh Baghel pic.twitter.com/SVgeEHnBSp

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) February 18, 2023

On January 7, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government began the long-awaited caste census in the state. The Bihar cabinet decided on a caste census on June 2, last year, months after the Union had ruled out such an activity in the Census. Previously, the state's chief minister and deputy chief minister met with Prime Minister Modi to discuss the problem.

The door-to-door survey would cover an estimated 12.70 crore people in 2.58 crore households across 38 districts, 534 blocks, and 261 urban local bodies. By May 31, 2023, the survey would be completed, as per the reports. 

Between 1881 and 1931, the British enumerated caste in their decadal censuses. Following that, the practice was abandoned, and independent India did not reinstate it as part of the regular census.