Centre’s caste survey prevails over State census: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy

On the possibilities of any difference in the State survey and the proposed Union government survey outcome, he defended saying it was not possible

HYDERABAD: The Telangana government’s effort to conduct the BC caste survey spending over Rs 160 crore and involving 90,000 enumerators is likely to be a futile exercise with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy admitting that the Union Government census would prevail over the State census.

As there was no data earlier, Telangana caste survey (Socio, Economical, Education, Employment, Political and caste survey) prevailed. Now that the Union government decided to conduct the exercise, it would prevail, the Chief Minister clarified at a press conference here on Thursday.

On the possibilities of any difference in the State survey and the proposed Union government survey outcome, he defended saying it was not possible.

“Why will people share false information? They might share false information pertaining to assets and liabilities but regarding caste details, they will not,” Revanth Reddy asserted.

He welcomed the Union government’s decision to conduct caste enumeration in the next census and suggested that a group of Union Cabinet Ministers Committee and experts committees should be constituted for taking up the exercise.

Before commencing the task, a comprehensive study should be conducted across the country as there were different caste equations in different States. For instance, the Boya community in Telangana was considered as BC but in Karnataka it was categorized as Tribal. Similarly, Lambadas were categorised as Tribals in Telangana but in Maharashtra they were OBCs, he said.

“Prepare Terms of Reference and finalise the process. We demand Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a clear announcement on when the caste census will be started and by when it would be completed,” Revanth Reddy said, adding that the entire exercise should be done in one year but it all depends on the Union government’s plans.

Countering the Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay’s comments on Telangana caste census, he described them as “galli leaders” who should not be taken seriously.

“They do not have any idea on what the Prime Minister is thinking. These bacchas (Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay) do not know. Rahul Gandhi also appreciated the Union government” Revanth Reddy said.