Caste-based census begins in Bihar

The caste-based census in Bihar has begun its first phase.

All 38 districts would be subject to a two-stage caste-based headcount. All households in the state will be tallied during the first phase, which will end by January 21.

Data on people of all castes, subcastes, socioeconomic circumstances, etc. will be collected during the second part of the survey, which is anticipated to take place from April 1 to April 30.

The Bihar cabinet decided to conduct a caste census on June 2 of last year, months after the Center had rejected the idea.

In 38 districts with 534 blocks and 261 urban local bodies, there are an estimated 12.70 crore people living in an estimated 2.58 crore households.

The survey’s conclusion is scheduled by May 31, 2023.

According to Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, the enumeration process would allow the administration to carry out development activities in the state for the benefit of the underprivileged in a scientific manner.

Yadav further criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party for its “anti-poor” policies and claimed that the opposition group opposed conducting the study.

Earlier on Friday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stated that the government has trained personnel to conduct the caste-based census while taking into account the subcastes in the state and the residents’ financial situations.