In a recent interview with PTI, former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram emphasized the necessity of conducting a caste survey before deciding on reservation benefits. He proposed that this survey should be carried out by the central government in conjunction with the national census.
Chidambaram criticized the BJP-led central government for not conducting the 2021 national census and speculated that it might be deferred until after the 2024 general elections. Referring to the Congress party’s promise, he stated that simultaneous national census and caste surveys would be initiated if the party comes to power.
The Congress leader highlighted various states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Odisha, which are either conducting or planning separate caste surveys. However, he stressed that a national census is within the jurisdiction of the central government, while state governments can only conduct caste surveys.
Chidambaram raised a crucial question about the eligibility for the 10% quota for the economically weak section (EWS) and insisted on the importance of a caste count to determine who will access this reservation. He argued that without a caste survey, it is impossible to identify how many individuals are excluded and stressed the need to ascertain the number of most backward class (MBC) people.
The veteran leader concluded that a caste survey is essential to ensure equitable and justified reservation benefits, providing clarity on eligibility and proportions.
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
