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Basavaraj Rayareddy, Economic Advisor to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Friday called for the implementation of the caste census in the state and urged the CM to release the report.
"The state government has spent nearly Rs 165 crore to assess the social and educational status of the people of Karnataka. In 2018, the Permanent Backward Classes Commission submitted the report to the government. Unfortunately, I was informed that the secretary of the commission had not signed the report, and therefore it was neither published nor accepted by the government. Subsequently, the Assembly term ended, and HD Kumaraswamy became the Chief Minister, but unfortunately, he did not release the report," Rayareddy said. He further stated that he has advised the Chief Minister to release the report. "I met the Chief Minister two days ago for a two-hour discussion, during which I urged him to accept, publish, and implement the report immediately. The CM responded by saying, 'We will look into it and take action,'" he added. On Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that a decision regarding the implementation of the caste census report would be made during a cabinet meeting after a thorough discussion on the matter. Siddaramaiah also mentioned that he would hold talks with the Minister of Backward Classes next week. The Congress party's demand for a nationwide caste census remains strong. In Congress-ruled Karnataka, the caste census report was submitted to the government in February this year. The Chairman of the Commission for Backward Classes, Jayaprakash Hegde, handed over the report. The demand for a nationwide caste census has been a key issue for Congress and other INDIA bloc parties. Several opposition parties in India, including Congress, RJD, NCP-SCP, and others, have long called for a caste-based census, emphasising the need for accurate data on the population distribution of various caste groups. (ANI)
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