Modi govt should immediately start decadal census, caste census: Kharge in Rajya Sabha

He recalled that back in 1931, a caste census was conducted along with the regular census.

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday asked the Narendra Modi government to immediately start the decadal census as well as caste census, saying a delay will leave a large number of people out of welfare schemes as policy decisions are being taken "without reliable and up-to-date" data.

Raising 'concerns regarding the delay in conducting the decadal Census' during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, Kharge said the Census exercise has always been conducted every ten years since 1881 despite war, emergencies or other crises.

Recalling that Caste Census was conducted along with the 1931 decadal Census, he said Mahatma Gandhi had then remarked that just like we need periodic medical checkups to assess our health, a Census is the most important checkup for a nation.

Census is a "crucial exercise", involving a large number of people who collect data not just on population but also on employment, family structures, socio-economic conditions, and several other key aspects, he said, adding, "even during major events like World War II and the India-Pakistan war of 1971-72, the Census was conducted. But, for the first time in history, the government has delayed the Census indefinitely."

"Along with the decadal Census, there should also be a Caste Census. After all, the government already collects data on Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), so why not include other castes as well? But unfortunately, the government has remained silent on both," he said, emphasizing that 81 per cent of countries have completed their Censuses successfully, despite the challenges posed by Covid-19.

Citing allocation of Rs 575 crore for the Census as government’s "unwillingness" to carry out the exercise this year as well, he said delaying the census has "serious consequences", as "without accurate and updated data, policies become arbitrary and ineffective".

He said several crucial surveys and welfare programs -- such as the Consumer Survey, National Family Health Survey, Periodic Labour Force Survey, National Food Security Act, and National Social Assistance Programme -- rely on census data.

"Because of this delay, crores of people are being left out of welfare schemes. Policymakers are making decisions without reliable and up-to-date data. Thus, I would strongly urge the government to immediately start the decadal census, including the caste census, without any further delay," he added.

On February 10, top Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in Rajya Sabha asked the government to conduct the Census at the earliest so that around 14 crore more people who are now left out of the mandatory food security net could be brought under it.