HOME > MARKETS > ECONOMY NEWS
  ECONOMY NEWS
ECONOMY
Modi govt should immediately start decadal census, caste census: Kharge in RS
Apr-01-2025

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha (RS) Mallikarjun Kharge asked the government to immediately start the decadal census as well as caste census, saying a large number of people are being left out of welfare schemes due to the delay.

During the Zero Hour in the Upper House, Kharge said that India has conducted a census every ten years since 1881, even during wars and emergencies. He recalled the 1931 census, which was the last to include data on caste, and quoted Mahatma Gandhi, who compared the census to a periodic medical checkup, vital for assessing the health of the nation. He also pointed out that despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, 81 per cent of countries worldwide have successfully conducted their census.

Kharge further said that along with the general census, a caste census is also possible because the government already collects data on Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), so it could collect data on other castes as well. He said no clear statement is being made by the government regarding census in India. Kharge also pointed out that the budgetary allocation of only Rs 575 crore for the census reflects the government’s unwillingness to conduct it this year as well.

Congress chief stressed that without accurate census data, essential surveys and welfare schemes like the National Family Health Survey, National Social Assistance Programme, and National Food Security Act would be compromised, leaving many citizens out of the benefits. He argued that the government’s delay is detrimental to policymaking and welfare programs, which rely on accurate and up-to-date data collected through the census.


  RELATED NEWS >>