Telangana Set to Launch Another Caste Survey
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Synopsis
The Telangana government is set to initiate another round of the caste survey from February 16 to 28, targeting individuals who missed the previous survey. This decision follows opposition criticism regarding declining statistics, particularly concerning Backward Classes, and aims to enhance inclusion and representation.
Key Takeaways
- Another caste survey to take place in Telangana.
- February 16 to 28 designated for the survey.
- Addressing criticism from opposition parties.
- Aim to provide 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes.
- Survey includes previously uncounted individuals.
Hyderabad, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Telangana government is gearing up to initiate another round of caste survey starting next week, aimed at including individuals who previously missed out on participation. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka declared on Wednesday that the survey is scheduled from February 16 to 28.
During a press conference, he emphasized that individuals unable to partake in the earlier survey can now provide their information to the enumerators. He encouraged the remaining 3.1 percent of the population to seize this opportunity, asserting that the caste survey was conducted using a scientific approach.
This decision to conduct another survey comes in response to criticism from opposition parties, who questioned the statistics presented in the State Assembly on February 4.
Concerns were raised regarding the decline in the population of Backward Classes, which decreased from 61 percent (including Muslim Backward Classes) in the integrated household survey of 2014 to 56.33 percent in the caste survey conducted in November-December 2024.
The Deputy Chief Minister also disclosed that the State Cabinet plans to pass a resolution in the first week of March to ensure 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes, fulfilling a promise made by the Congress party during the Assembly elections.
A Bill will be introduced in the Assembly to provide legal backing for a 42 percent quota for Backward Classes/OBCs in politics, education, and employment.
This Bill will be forwarded to the Central government, with efforts being made to secure its passage in Parliament.
Vikramarka stated that the objective of the Congress party is to provide 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes in local body elections.
The caste survey report indicates that Backward Classes constitute 56.33 percent of the state’s population, with 10.08 percent being Backward Class Muslims.
According to the report from the Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste Survey, 17.43 percent of the population are Scheduled Castes (SCs), 10.45 percent are Scheduled Tribes (STs), and 12.56 percent are Muslims, with 2.48 percent being Other Caste (OC) Muslims. The OCs represent 13.31 percent of the total population.
The extensive door-to-door household survey encompassed 3,54,77,554 individuals and 1,12,15,134 families.
The government had informed the Assembly that 96.9 percent of the households in the state were included in the 50-day survey.
According to the government, 16 lakh people (or 3.1 percent) opted out for various reasons, with enumerators encountering 1.03 lakh locked houses and 1.68 lakh families expressing hesitation to participate.
