Patna, Jan 7 (Agency) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said that caste based census was essential for upliftment and economic development of the people of the state as well as the nation. After reviewing progress of various ongoing schemes in Vaishali district on the third day of his Samadhan Yatra Kumar told news persons that the caste based census which began on Saturday was essential for development of the people. Kumar said that on various occasions he had demanded from the centre to conduct caste based census.
The Chief Minister said that he had conducted an all party meeting on the issue of caste based census in which all political parties had unanimously consented for it. Kumar reiterated for conducting caste based census in the country to assess each and every aspect of the demography. After an all party meet in Bihar on the issue a delegation had called on the Prime Minister who decided that the centre would not conduct caste based census. The Prime Minister however had stated that the state may conduct caste based census if it wished so, added Kumar. The Chief Minister said that trained people have been engaged in the caste based census in Bihar who would also find out the economic condition of the people belonging to any caste and class. After getting the information about economic status strategies would be framed for their development he said and maintained that the report of the caste based census would be sent to the centre. Kumar suggested the centre to concentrate on development of every state for overall progress of the nation.