<p>Bengaluru: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday reiterated his argument favouring the contentious caste census, arguing that placing the report before the Cabinet would only make its findings public, and that any implementation would have to be a separate government decision.</p>.<p>“We have spent around Rs 160 crore of government’s money (taxpayers’ money) on the caste census. Taking any action on this will be the government’s prerogative but let the information come into the public domain. That’s what everyone has been insisting upon,” he said, while speaking to reporters.</p>.Why is CM Siddaramaiah in a hurry to implement 10-year-old caste census? asks BJP.<p>He highlighted the importance of opening the sealed cover in Cabinet meeting and not anywhere else. “If it’s opened earlier, there is a risk of info leakage.” </p>.<p>But, Parameshwara said he cannot immediately comment on whether there will be further discussions on the report in the Cabinet. </p>.<p>The socio-economic and educational survey, referred to as caste census, was initiated when K Kantharaj was chairman of the State Backward Classes Commission. The final report was submitted during Jayaprakash Hegde’s tenure as the chairman on February 29, 2024.</p>.<p>The caste census has been a polarising issue, with the dominant, landowning Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities opposing it, while Backward Classes and Dalit communities have supported it.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday reiterated his argument favouring the contentious caste census, arguing that placing the report before the Cabinet would only make its findings public, and that any implementation would have to be a separate government decision.</p>.<p>“We have spent around Rs 160 crore of government’s money (taxpayers’ money) on the caste census. Taking any action on this will be the government’s prerogative but let the information come into the public domain. That’s what everyone has been insisting upon,” he said, while speaking to reporters.</p>.Why is CM Siddaramaiah in a hurry to implement 10-year-old caste census? asks BJP.<p>He highlighted the importance of opening the sealed cover in Cabinet meeting and not anywhere else. “If it’s opened earlier, there is a risk of info leakage.” </p>.<p>But, Parameshwara said he cannot immediately comment on whether there will be further discussions on the report in the Cabinet. </p>.<p>The socio-economic and educational survey, referred to as caste census, was initiated when K Kantharaj was chairman of the State Backward Classes Commission. The final report was submitted during Jayaprakash Hegde’s tenure as the chairman on February 29, 2024.</p>.<p>The caste census has been a polarising issue, with the dominant, landowning Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities opposing it, while Backward Classes and Dalit communities have supported it.</p>