Socio-economic data collected during caste survey to be tabled in Bihar assembly

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said that the detailed caste survey report, including socio-economic data, would be tabled in the Bihar Assembly during the forthcoming Winter Session of the House.

He said, “all future course of action, including whether to extend the reservations, would be decided after discussing with the members of the House. I can’t say anything at this stage”.

He gave the statement while responding to questions from reporters on the sidelines of an event organised to mark the birth anniversary of socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan in Patna.

“Whatever we have done is being discussed all across the country. Earlier, we had organised an all-party meeting to discuss the findings. Now, we will place the details of the survey report, including the socio-economic data, in the state Assembly and any future action will be decided after taking feedback from the members of the House”.

The Bihar government disclosed the findings of the caste-based survey on October 2, revealing that the extremely backward castes (EBC) and Other Backward castes (OBC) collectively constitute 63 per cent of the state’s population.

The release of the survey report raised the political pitch across the country and generated mixed sentiments among various parties in Bihar.

Former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) termed the survey report “false” and announced protests in all district headquarters in the state. Kushwaha has also said that he would stage a march outside the Governor’s residence on October 14.

There have also been voices against the findings of the survey from within the Grand Alliance. Among those who raised questions on the “transparency” of the survey report are some legislators from RJD and JD(U) MP Sunil Singh Pintu.

Despite opposition from various political parties, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said the report was released properly and demands for conduct of a caste-based survey were also growing in other states.

Criticising the BJP for indulging in baseless and ineffective campaigns by misusing the media, Nitish Kumar said: “It’s the people of the country which will decide how the country will be run, not them. I don’t care what they say. They keep making baseless allegations, but these things don’t bother me”.