Telangana begins caste-based survey: The Congress-led government in Telangana has launched the state's first-ever caste survey. The initiative is a major milestone for the state, with 80,000 enumerators covering over 1.17 crore households in 33 districts.
This marks the first caste-based census since 1931, fulfilling a long-awaited promise and reflecting the aspirations of the Telangana movement.
Caste Survey: A Historic Step for Telangana
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh welcomed the start of the caste survey and called it a “historic, revolutionary moment” for the state.
The hive survey will involve collecting data door to door over the next three weeks.
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Congress pushes for national caste census
Jairam Ramesh further noted that the caste survey in Telangana is part of a broader vision. He emphasized that the Telangana survey is a precursor to the national caste census that the INDIA coalition plans to conduct when it forms the next government.
Jairam Ramesh stated, “This census and the lifting of the Supreme Court's arbitrary ceiling of 50% on reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes are central to Congress's vision for the country.”
Rahul Gandhi joins caste survey in Telangana
Rahul Gandhi, who has been a staunch advocate for a nationwide caste census, also supported the Telangana survey. Gandhi attended an important consultative meeting in Telangana on November 5, where the emphasis was on the importance of the caste census.
Rahul Gandhi at the meeting reiterated his commitment to caste survey in Telangana and added that it is a crucial step towards ensuring equitable development for all communities. He also underlined the need for a comprehensive caste census at the national level, something that Congress has promised to prioritize when it heads the next government.
Details and implementation of Telangana Caste Survey
The caste-based survey in Telangana, which will run till November 30, is a fulfillment of an election promise of the Congress government.
Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who has been overseeing the rollout of the survey, emphasized its importance in addressing the development needs of the state.
“A detailed caste survey will be conducted in Telangana from November 6 to 30. We promised this during the elections and now we are delivering on it,” Prabhakar said during an earlier announcement.
The comprehensive exercise will involve over 80,000 enumerators across the state to collect crucial data on the socio-economic conditions of various communities.