Lalu for caste-wise census

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad today called for holding caste-wise census to identify the strengths of all sections of society to ensure proper quota facilities in jobs and other schemes.

"RJD wants caste-wise census to identify the numbers of people of all sections of society... it will come in handy in ensuring proper facilities to deserving lots+, Prasad told reporters.

Exercise for the 15th Census would kick off in Bihar on May 15.

Prasad alleged that the Nitish Kumar government had miserably failed to ensure offtake of foodgrains allocated by the Centre for PDS and under other welfare schemes for Bihar.

The targets fixed under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Rojgar Sadak Yojana, NREGA and other centrally-sponsored schemes in Bihar had remained unfulfilled, he claimed.

Prasad also demanded a CBI inquiry into alleged extortion threat to resident editor of Patna-based Hindi Daily Anku Srivastava.

"An FIR has been registered by the family members of Srivastava that he received a call threatening to kill him if he fails to meet the extortion demand for Rs 50 lakh," Prasad said and alleged that the caller claimed to be close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

First Published: Apr 24, 2010 18:11 IST