Bihar Caste Based Census: The work of caste census is going on in Bihar since 7th January. Petition were filed in the Supreme Court against the caste census in which it has been demanded to cancel it.
The Supreme Court rejected all the petitions filed against the Bihar government's decision to conduct a caste-based census and refused to hear them.
The Supreme Court said that the petitions are not maintainable and caste census is necessary to implement reservation properly.
Supreme Court also advised the petitioners to go to the Patna High Court to present their point of view. Akhilesh Kumar, a resident of Bihar, had filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Bihar government's decision on the caste census.
After this decision of the Supreme Court, the Bihar government heaved a sigh of relief. Now caste census will continue in Bihar.
A bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Vikram Nath said that this is a publicity interest litigation. How can we issue instructions on how much reservation should be given to a particular caste? We cannot issue such directions and cannot entertain these petitions.
The Supreme Court, while hearing three petitions filed by an NGO and others, said that all the petitions are dismissed as withdrawn.
Caste based survey has started in Bihar from 7th January. The State Government has entrusted the responsibility of conducting this survey to the General Administration Department.
Under this, the data of every family is being collected digitally through the government mobile phone app. About 500 crore rupees will be spent on this survey.
A target has been set to complete the work of caste-based survey by the end of the year.