Patna, Aug 16 (FN Agency) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said that he would wait for appointment with Prime Minister to discuss the issue of caste census before taking decision on whether state government would conduct caste census on its own. Mr Kumar, after “ Janata Ke Darbar Mein Mukhya Mantri “ programme organised at CM secretariat premises, told media persons that he had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his appointment to discuss on the issue of caste census.
The letter written by him was received in Prime Minister Office (PMO) on August 4 and he had been communicated by PMO about receipt of the letter on August 13, indicating that PM could give appointment for a discussion on the issue of caste census, he added. “ We will wait for appointment with PM for a discussion on the issue of caste census before taking a decision whether state government would conduct caste census on its own “ Chief Minister said adding that he would discuss with leaders of all parties for taking a unanimous decision at an appropriate moment on state government conducting caste census using its own resources. When PMO had informed him indicating that PM could give appointment for a discussion on caste census, there was no reason for him to take a decision hurriedly, he added. After all it was not an issue of one day affair that he would announce his decision on state government conducting caste census using its own resources, he noted. Mr Kumar said that caste census should be conducted at least once to know the exact figure on caste wise population. It would help the government in rolling out schemes for various sections of the society who needed assistance, he added. Chief Minister, to a query about apprehension that pressure could build up to increase the reservation limit of 50 percent in government services if caste census was carried out, said that caste census was essential which would give clear picture for a broader view on the issue.
Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) was conducted separately by the Centre in 2011 but it could not be worth of any use due to large scale errors and irregularities, he pointed out. As it is, Chief Minister Mr Kumar had been demanding strongly caste for caste census since long. The demand got momentum when Centre announced in parliament that there would not be caste census and only enumeration of SCs and STs would be conducted as they were being given reservation in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. A delegation of opposition parties led by leader of the opposition Tejaswi Prasad Yadav had called on Chief Minister Mr Kumar recently and urged him to write a letter for second appointment with PM for all party delegation from Bihar to request him for reconsideration of the decision of the Centre of not conducting caste census. Mr Kumar had written a letter to PM on August 3 seeking appointment for all party delegation led by him for a discussion on caste census.