Cabinet will decide on caste-based census: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government had not taken a decision on caste-based census and the issue will be deliberated in the cabinet.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said the government had not taken a decision on caste-based census and the issue will be deliberated in the cabinet.

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"I made a statement in parliament in which I said that we shall take into account the views expressed in parliament by various sections of opinion and that I will ask the cabinet to consider that. That process is on," Manmohan Singh said replying to a question on the issue during his press conference marking the first anniversary of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's second term..

"Discussion on the issue will take place in the cabinet and whatever decision is taken it will be brought before the people," he said.

Political parties, including the Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal-United have demanded that caste should be included in the census exercise. The Bharatiya Janata Party has also supported the demand.

Replying to a question about reservation in the private sector, Manmohan Singh said efforts were being made to see that people from business, industry and trade take steps towards affirmative action.

"I feel that there is need to move faster in this direction," he said.

Asked about state funding of elections, the Prime Minister said several debates have taken place on the issue. "There is general awareness that financing of political parties is a source of what is called black money. It needs broad-based consensus to move forward."

On the controversy surrounding Indian Premier League finances, he said the finance minister had given his reply to the issue in parliament. The prime minister said that action will be taken if the probe being conducted brought to light any wrongdoing.