Patna: The much-talked-about caste census will not be conducted this time around. Rajya Sabha MP and BJP leader Sushil Modi, while talking to reporters on Thursday, said that the preparations for the census have been completed.
He revealed that a plan for the nationwide census has been prepared, and a last-minute census of backward classes (Caste-Based Census) is not possible.
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Talking about the Centre's decision on the issue of caste census, he also said that if a state wants, it can conduct a caste-based census like Telangana. On the other hand, he hit out at RJD's statement about having to add only one column for the caste census. He contended that it is not just a matter of adding a column, as opposed to the RJD's claim.
It may be noted that the issue of conducting a caste census in Bihar is being raised fervently. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is also in favour of conducting the same. He had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 23 along with a 10-member delegation.
CM Nitish had appealed to the Prime Minister to consider the benefits of the caste-based census. Members of the delegation had the same opinion. However, recently, the Union Government had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that the Centre was not in favour of conducting a caste-based census.
The political temperature soared in the state following the Union Government's move. Reacting to this, the Bihar Chief Minister had said, "Caste-Based Census is a legitimate demand and it is the need of the hour. It is pro-development and will help policymakers to formulate welfare policies for backward castes". "We will hold an all-party meeting on the issue in Bihar," he added.
Now that Sushil Modi has categorically said that it is not possible to conduct the caste census at the last moment, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's reaction to it will be important to the developments.