Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded on Thursday that the Centre full the Census, through which caste can even be enumerated, within the subsequent three months, whilst he stated the BJP-led authorities was delaying the decennial train to cover the “lack of improvement” within the nation.
Addressing a price-rise protest in opposition to the central authorities at Hubballi, Kharge stated the Centre was not thinking about finishing up a caste census previously. “I had written a letter to the PM in April 2023 searching for a caste census to make sure the event of backward castes… Once we requested for it, they stated that the nation can be divided and (the Congress) was sowing variations between communities. Why are you doing it now?” he requested.
Kharge stated the BJP authorities was not within the Census as it might reveal the financial situations of individuals within the nation. “Our feeling is that they aren’t doing it actually. Subsequently, (the Census) needs to be accomplished in three months. When you do it, we are going to know you have an interest within the Census. If not, we should say it’s simply hogwash,” he stated.
Kharge stated the Centre was empowered to extend the 50 per cent reservation ceiling set by the Supreme Court docket.
He accused the Centre of blocking makes an attempt by states like Karnataka to extend reservation, whereas states like Tamil Nadu already has 69 per cent reservation in authorities jobs. He additionally reiterated the Congress’s demand to amend Article 15 of the Structure to make sure reservation within the personal sector.
Earlier within the day, talking at an occasion in Bengaluru, the Congress chief stated the funds allocation for the Census was inadequate. Noting that Karnataka had spent Rs 165 crore to hold out the Socioeconomic and Instructional Survey, he stated the Union authorities has put aside solely Rs 575 crore for the Census in the whole nation.
“Is it doable to take up a survey in that quantity? It’s not satisfactory even to finish the Census in Uttar Pradesh… They need neither to take up the Caste Census nor assist OBCs,” the chief of the Opposition within the Rajya Sabha went on.