Ranchi, Sep 16 (IANS) The Congress on Wednesday organised a march to Lok Bhavan in Jharkhand ‘s capital Ranchi, demanding a separate column for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the upcoming Caste census.
A delegation of the party later submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the Governor, urging the Centre to include the demand in the census exercise.
The march began from Bapu Vatika and saw participation from Congress leaders, party workers, and OBC representatives from various districts of the state.
The procession was led by Nishant Jaiswal, President of the Pradesh Congress OBC Department.
Congress leaders said reliable data on the OBC population and its socio-economic status was essential for effective policymaking. They noted that the party has been consistently demanding a separate code and clear identification of OBCs in the forthcoming caste census.
State Congress President Keshav Mahto Kamlesh said the caste census should not be viewed merely as an exercise to collect statistics.
He added that accurate data on the actual OBC population and its socio-economic conditions would help in framing policies and welfare schemes more effectively.
Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the demand was linked to social justice and equal opportunities.
According to her, comprehensive and credible data is crucial for formulating policies related to education, employment, healthcare and economic empowerment.
Health Minister Irfan Ansari said a clear enumeration of OBCs in the caste census would reveal the community’s actual population and facilitate the formulation of targeted development programmes.
Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Jharkhand Assembly, Pradeep Yadav, also described the demand for a separate OBC column as an issue linked to policy formulation and adequate representation.
Yogendra Yogi, In-charge of the Pradesh Congress OBC Department, said the party would continue to pursue the demand through democratic and constitutional means.
Former MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu and former State Congress President Rajesh Thakur also supported the demand for authentic data on the OBC population and its socio-economic status.
Through the memorandum submitted to the Governor, the Congress delegation urged the Central government to include a separate column for OBCs in the upcoming caste census and ensure the community’s actual population is accurately recorded.
The party had earlier announced the September 16 march as part of its campaign on the issue.
–IANS
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