New Delhi [India], April 1 (ANI): The Congress President and Leader of Opposition is Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday raised concern over the delay in conducting the decadal census and urged the government to immediately start both the decadal census as well as the caste census .
Kharge stated that since 1881, the nation has carried out a census every decade, irrespective of conflicts, emergencies, or crises, with the process persisting throughout. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, who believed that akin to how regular medical examinations gauge one’s well-being, a census serves as the crucial evaluation tool for a country’s status.
"Chairman sir, our country has been conducting a census every 10 years since 1881. No matter what -- wars, emergencies, or crises -- the process has always continued. Back in 1931, we even conducted a caste census Along with the standard census. Just prior to 1931 Census , Mahatma Gandhi Ji had said that just like we need periodic medical checkups to assess our health, a census is the most important checkup for a nation", Kharge said while speaking in Rajya Sabha .
In addition, Kharge highlighted that the census is a "critical undertaking" which "requires a substantial workforce tasked with gathering information beyond mere population counts, including details on employment, familial arrangements, socioeconomic statuses, and various other vital factors."
He likewise restated Congress' request for a caste census This should occur alongside the regular population count. He emphasized the government's 'reluctance' to carry out the census, mentioning that they have allocated merely Rs 575 crore for this purpose.
The census holds significant importance as it entails gathering extensive information beyond mere population counts, including details about employment, familial arrangements, socioeconomic statuses, and various critical factors. Notably, this process continued even through pivotal moments such as World War II and the India-Pakistan conflict from 1971 to 1972. However, unprecedentedly in historical record, the authorities have postponed the census indefinitely. Additionally, alongside conducting a standard census, we ought to incorporate an 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. This year's budget has allocated only Rs575 crore for the census, which reflects the Government's unwillingness to conduct it this year as well", Kharge said.
The Rajya Sabha LoP stated that postponing the census would lead to "severe repercussions," and asserted that without it, politics could turn into an arbitrary and ineffective process. Additionally, he emphasized that numerous individuals would be excluded from social welfare programs due to the lack of precise population data obtained through the census.
"Meanwhile, 81 per cent of countries around the world have managed to complete their censuses successfully, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. Delaying the census has serious consequences. Without accurate and updated data, policies become arbitrary and ineffective. 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", Kharge said. (ANI)
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