Centre approves inclusion of caste data in upcoming national census

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

New Delhi, April 30: The Central government has announced that caste census will be formally incorporated into the upcoming nationwide census, which had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the update following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, saying the government has decided that the upcoming national census will include a caste census.

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Vaishnaw pointed out that while conducting a census is constitutionally a Central responsibility, several opposition-ruled states have carried out separate caste surveys under the pretext of data collection, allegedly driven by political motives.

Reaffirming the Centre’s stance, he said the upcoming pan-India census will be the appropriate and lawful mechanism to gather caste-based data, distancing the government’s approach from the selective surveys carried out at the state level.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the government has approved several key decisions aimed at supporting farmers and boosting infrastructure development.

Highlighting one of the major resolutions, he said the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane for the 2025–26 season has been set at ₹355 per quintal. This benchmark rate ensures that sugarcane cannot be purchased below this price, thereby safeguarding farmers’ interests.

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In a major infrastructure push, the Cabinet has also cleared the construction of a high-speed four-lane corridor between Shillong and Silchar. The 166.8 km-long highway project is expected to be built at an estimated cost of ₹22,864 crore, enhancing connectivity and economic growth in the region.