THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Patna, Oct.2: The Bihar government Monday released the findings of its caste survey, which show that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) together account for around 63 per cent of the total state population, reports The Indian Express.
The state’s total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore, news agency PTI reported. The EBCs form the largest social segment at 36 percent of the total population, followed by the OBCs at 27.13 percent, data showed.
The survey also shows that Yadavs had the largest share of the total population at 14.27 per cent, PTI reported.
Deputy Chief Minister Tejasvi Yadav said Bihar was witnessing a “historic moment”, and that the state government “will quickly ensure the overall development and participation of the deprived sections in the light of these figures”.
“History is witness to how the BJP leadership tried to hinder this (survey) through various means. Bihar has set an example for the country and has shown the path towards the goals of social and economic justice,” he added.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh termed the caste census as an “eyewash”. “They should have given a report card that Nitish Kumar ruled the state for 18 years and Lalu Yadav ruled the state for 15 years but did not develop the state,” he said.
In January, the Bihar government began conducting a survey of households to collect and publish data on caste with the aim of “ensuring all-round development of all sections of the State.”
On April 15, the second phase of the survey commenced, focusing on gathering data related to people’s caste and socio-economic conditions.
The state government completed the exercise on August 13 this year. The Bihar government spent about Rs 500 crore from its contingency fund for the exercise.
