"Caste census is important for development of socially oppressed sections": Congress MP Manickam Tagore

New Delhi [India], October 7 : Supporting Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's statement about conducting a caste census in Chhattisgarh, party MP Manickam Tagore said that the caste census is important for the development of the socially oppressed sections of the society.
"Priyanka Gandhi's statement is a welcome statement. We feel that the caste census is a very important part in the development of the socially oppressed sections," a Congress MP said.
On Friday, Priyanka asserted if the Congress is re-elected to power in Chhattisgarh, a caste census will be conducted in the state, similar to the one carried out in Bihar.
"I announce that if Congress repeats government in Chhattisgarh, then like Bihar, we will also hold caste census in the state," Priyanka Gandhi said at a public event in poll-bound Chhattisgarh's Kanker.

Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said that asserted that caste-based survey reports should be conducted in every state so that policies can be formed accordingly.
"It should be done in every state... Even in elections, parties are promising to conduct caste-based censuses in the states. Government should have the data of the society so that policies can be formed accordingly. Those who are opposing this (caste-based census) should appeal to PM Modi and get it done in the entire country," Tejashwi Yadav said.

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said that our concern is not the caste census but we are concerned about the rates of crops.
"Our objective is not caste census... Our objective is the same as those who work on the farms... Rates for crops should be provided appropriately... Does a trader pay more to a farmer from a certain caste? When the crops are packed, no one can tell whose farm it was produced in... Our concern is not with the caste, we are concerned about the rates of crops," Rakesh Tikait said.
Earlier, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced that the state will conduct a caste-based census like done in Bihar.
"Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made the caste census system in the Raipur session of Congress, and we will do it here on the basis of the same. Rajasthan government will also conduct a caste census like Bihar. We will take the concept that there should be participation of the people as per their population. Instructions will be given to conducting caste-based census on the lines of Bihar," CM Gehlot said.
The report of the caste-based survey conducted in Bihar was released on Monday by the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government. The Congress is an ally of the government in Bihar.
Assembly polls are to be held in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Mizoram and Rajasthan by the end of the year.