Bhujbal seeks caste-based census in state

In a letter written to chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, the NCP leader said that the census could be conducted on the lines of Bihar, where a caste-based survey has started recently

Mumbai: Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday demanded an independent caste-based census in Maharashtra.

Mumbai, India - April 17, 2019: NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal during interview at Bhujbal Farms in Nashik , India, on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. (Photo by Pramod Thakur/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

In a letter written to chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, the NCP leader said that the census could be conducted on the lines of Bihar, where a caste-based survey has started recently.

Bhujbal added that Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh had also conducted similar surveys that are benefiting residents of the respective states.

Explaining the necessity of the survey, Bhujbal said, “Our demand for a caste-based census has been pending for a long time. The matter related to consensus comes in the jurisdiction of the central government. Since they have expressed inability for the same, the state government should conduct it on the lines of Bihar.”

The Centre is not ready to disclose findings of a census that was conducted on the economic and social status of rural and urban households between 2011 and 2014, he further added.

The Janata Dal United (JDU) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led government in Bihar has started the first phase of the caste-based census in the state from Saturday. The exercise is being conducted in two stages.