TN urges Centre to take up caste census
Amid persistent demand from political parties, Tamil Nadu govt on Monday reiterated its demand to Union govt to undertake a caste census along with the national census.
“This govt, which is committed to the cause of social justice, has been a frontrunner in the country in implementing various welfare schemes,” finance minister Thangam Thennarasu said, urging Centre to undertake a caste census.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Oct lat year, chief minister M K Stalin said the move would be a monumental step to take the benefits of development to the most vulnerable sections and build a stronger, more inclusive India. Tamil Nadugovt, Stalin said, lacked the statutory stamp without legislative backing for such data collection since census as a subject was on the Union List.
PMK leader S Ramadoss criticised the govt for not taking up caste survey on its own when Jharkhand govt could announce it.
On Sunday, Jharkhand chief minister Champi Soren gave his nod for the caste survey on the lines of Bihar, after the general elections
Former chief minister O Panneerselvam hit out at state govt, saying that asking Centre to undertake a survey only reflected a lack of concern.