After NCP, BJD bats for caste-based census

 After NCP chief Sharad Pawar, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday reiterated its demand for the conduct of a caste-based census to ascertain the exact population percentage of each caste, including Other Backward Class (OBC) community.

Senior BJD leader and MP Amar Patnaik said, "We had written for the caste-based census as Supreme Court judgement says that unless there is quantifiable data, no reservations can be made. Hence, if the caste-based census data comes, a clear picture can emerge as to what extent the welfare schemes have reached to the beneficiaries and what can be done more,” said Patnaik.

Patnaik further said that the Odisha government has been demanding the Centre for caste-based census. The last caste-based census was conducted in 1931.

“If it (caste-based census) is done, all the controversies regarding the OBC reservations will end,” he added. Earlier on Wednesday, the NCP passed a resolution that caste-based census should be carried out by the Centre. In the meeting, it was also decided that the local body elections should not be held without OBC reservations.