Caste counting begins on THIS date in Andhra Pradesh; Check details

Andhra Pradesh Information and Public Relations Minister Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna said completion of caste-based census is one of the key objectives set by the YSRCP government.

Information Minister C. Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna said completing the caste census is one of the key objectives of the Andhra Pradesh government. (File photo)

Caste census in Andhra Pradesh: A comprehensive caste census will start in Andhra Pradesh from December 9 this year, the state government said on Friday. In an official statement, Andhra Pradesh Information and Public Relations Minister C Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna said that completion of the caste-based census is one of the key objectives set by the YSRCP government.

“It is important to conduct a caste census to change the living standards of people,” the minister said.

The minister noted that there was no caste census in India after independence, only a census. The minister said the government is trying to gain views from caste representatives across the state, an official release said.

Expressing confidence that the state would conduct the caste census in a fair and comprehensive manner, Krishna said the enumeration of Andhra Pradesh will act as a role model across the country.

Asserting that Prime Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is known for ensuring social justice, he alleged that opposition parties shudder at the mere mention of caste census.

While it was initially announced that the caste census would cover the 139 Backward Class (BC) communities, the scope now includes all castes in Andhra Pradesh, the press release said.

Shekhawat slams Congress for promising caste census in Rajasthan

In related news, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday lashed out at the Congress for promising to hold the caste census in Rajasthan if the party retains power in the state. Shekhawat argued that holding a caste survey falls under the caste survey and falls under the purview of the central government. Promising such things in their manifesto shows how Congress is determined to divide the nation.

“They can never do a caste census as it is not within the purview of the state government. According to the Constitution, this is the subject of the Center and only the Central government can do this. Their party (Congress) has always divided the nation and they are trying to do it again. Congress has no moral right to talk about OBCs,” the minister said, according to news agency ANI.

The Congress has promised to conduct a state-wide caste census in Rajasthan if it retains power in the state after the November 25 assembly elections.

The old party has also promised to do the same across the country if voted to power at the Center in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

(With input from agencies)