New Delhi, December 14: The Modi government has not taken any step to conduct caste-based census in the country, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. In a written reply to a question, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the central government has not enumerated caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in census since independence. Bihar Political Crisis: Caste Census & Eye on 2024 Lead to Frictions Between JDU, BJP.

DMK lawmaker A Ganeshamurthi had sought to know whether there is a demand for conducting caste-wise census. He had also asked whether the government has taken any action in this regard, and if not, the reasons therefor. In response to his first question, Rai said three state governments - Bihar, Maharashtra and Odisha - and a few organisations have requested to collect caste details in the forthcoming census. Caste Census in India: Know How It Impacts the Social Fabric of Country.

In reply to DMK MP's second question, Rai said: "The Government of India has not enumerated caste wise population other than SCs and STs in Census since independence." "In Census, the castes and tribes which are specifically notified as Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as per the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, as amended from time to time, are enumerated," he added.

The Union Minister also informed the lower house of Parliament that the forthcoming census is to be the first digital census and there is a provision for self-enumeration. A mobile app for collection of data and a census portal for management and monitoring of various census-related activities have been developed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 14, 2022 11:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).