Vaishnaw argues SECC and State activities were’surveys’

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw argues that the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) and state governments’ caste enumeration exercises were just “surveys.”

• Vaishnaw refers to Bihar, Karnataka, and Telangana governments that have attempted to enumerate caste.

• The Union government is considering codifying a list of castes and sub-castes to reduce the number of castes.

• The Bihar, Karnataka, and Telangana governments have all created a list of castes and communities, with some communities not included on the list.

• The Central list of OBC lists 2,650 communities across India, while an independent analysis of State OBC lists showed over 3,651 communities.

• The Bihar government began conducting a caste-based survey in 2022, while the Telangana government announced its decision to undertake a survey in January 2024.

• The Bihar survey covered 13.07 crore people, slightly higher than its projected population in 2023.

• The Karnataka and Telangana surveys have been questioned for their estimates of Backward Classes population, with accusations of an undercount.

• Vaishnaw emphasizes the Narendra Modi-led government’s commitment to conducting the exercise “transparently.”