Allot quotas as per caste numbers: Nitish Kumar
Madan Kumar | TNN | Jan 22, 2019, 13:06 IST
PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday favoured caste census in 2021. He also supported the demand by certain organizations for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions to all castes proportionate to their population across the country.
“I have no objection if certain other backward castes (OBCs) are demanding increase in the percentage of their quota from the existing 27%. I also favour quota to all castes proportionate to their population,” Nitish said while responding to a media query at his weekly ‘Lok Samvad’ programme here.
Nitish also said the last caste census in the country was conducted under the British Rule in 1931. “Next decadal census is going to be held in 2021. The country should now conduct a fresh census of all castes in 2021, like we do in the case of the castes under the SC/ST category,” Nitish said, adding that proper counting of all castes would help in taking any policy decision in the country.
Nitish’s statement assumes political significance ahead of the Lok Sabha election as his rival RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his party have repeatedly been demanding the publication of caste-wise data of the socio-economic and caste census-2011 (SECC-2011).
Responding to another query related to quota, Nitish said the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWSs) among people from the unreserved category would be implemented in Bihar and his government was seeking legal opinion from the experts before issuing a notification in this regard.
“We will implement the 10% quota for the EWSs among the unreserved category. The state government is seeking legal opinion whether it should be implemented through an executive order or by passing a legislation from the state legislature. We have requested legal experts to suggest the better option,” Nitish, who is also the JD(U) president, said.
The CM also said there should be a classification among the OBC quota at the Centre. “In Bihar, we have separate percentage of quota for extremely backward classes (EBCs) and backward classes (BCs). This pattern should be followed in the central government’s quota as well,” he said.
“I have no objection if certain other backward castes (OBCs) are demanding increase in the percentage of their quota from the existing 27%. I also favour quota to all castes proportionate to their population,” Nitish said while responding to a media query at his weekly ‘Lok Samvad’ programme here.
Nitish also said the last caste census in the country was conducted under the British Rule in 1931. “Next decadal census is going to be held in 2021. The country should now conduct a fresh census of all castes in 2021, like we do in the case of the castes under the SC/ST category,” Nitish said, adding that proper counting of all castes would help in taking any policy decision in the country.
Nitish’s statement assumes political significance ahead of the Lok Sabha election as his rival RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his party have repeatedly been demanding the publication of caste-wise data of the socio-economic and caste census-2011 (SECC-2011).
Responding to another query related to quota, Nitish said the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWSs) among people from the unreserved category would be implemented in Bihar and his government was seeking legal opinion from the experts before issuing a notification in this regard.
“We will implement the 10% quota for the EWSs among the unreserved category. The state government is seeking legal opinion whether it should be implemented through an executive order or by passing a legislation from the state legislature. We have requested legal experts to suggest the better option,” Nitish, who is also the JD(U) president, said.
The CM also said there should be a classification among the OBC quota at the Centre. “In Bihar, we have separate percentage of quota for extremely backward classes (EBCs) and backward classes (BCs). This pattern should be followed in the central government’s quota as well,” he said.
more from times of india Cities
LATEST VIDEOS
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE