The state government launched a two phase caste survey in Bihar and stating the detail information of socio – economic condition would help to create better government policies for disadvantage groups . The survey estimated to collect the socio – economic data for a population pf 12.70 crore in the 38 districts of Bihar .
The phase of the survey , which involved a house listening exercise . The state was in the middle of the second phase when the survey was halted due to a stay order from the High court . A recent HC verdict dismissed all petition opposing the move and the government on Aug 2 resumed work on the second phase of the survey . In the second phase , data related to caste, sub – caste and religion for all people is to be collected . The final survey can be expected in Sept less than a year before 2024 election .
The census conducted at the beginning of every decade does not record any caste data other than those listed as sechuled Castes ( SC) . In the absence of such census there is no proper estimate for the population of Obcs and other despite this ambiguity the union government has categorically ruled out conducting a socio – economic caste census saying it is unfeasible administratively diffcult , and responding to a writ petition filed by the state of Maharashtra and Centre and other than Scheduled Caste ( SC) and Scheduled Tribes ( ST ) was a conscious policy decision adopted since 1951 census and that there was a policy of official discouragement of caste .
The survey of 2011 of caste survey collected the raw data of nearly 130 crore Indians was never made public dues to flaws in data . The political analysts see Bihar government move as way for coalition parties to counter the BJP , Hindutva Political with a revival of Mandal Politics The decision to implement Mandal commission recommended by 27 % reservation of others Backward classes ( OBC) . The caste was an acceptable indicators of backward classes and the recommendation of Mandal commission were finally implemented . The Mandal commission finally been implemented . The Mandal commission estimated OBC population 52 % and the opposition have continued to demand caste census saying that such a exercise is necessary for the welfare policies . The petition in the supreme court contend that the state’s survey is unconstitutional since only the Centre is exclusively authorized to conduct a census under the constitution .
They also said that the state doesnt have any independent power to appoint District Magistrates and the local authorities to conduct authorities for collation data without a notification under section 3 of the census act , 1948 by Centre