GoM to meet again on caste census
As the differences among the member ministers continued, the GoM, headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, on caste census, which met here on Thursday failed to arrive at a decision. Since the ministers felt that more discussion is required before deciding to include caste as an enumeration in the ongoing Census process, it
was decided to meet again. Moreover, Trinamul chief and railway minister Mamata Banerjee, NCP supremo and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and senior National Conference leader and renewable energy minister Farooq Abdullah did not attend the meeting. Even law minister Veerappa Moily, who is considered to be one of the most vocal supporters of the move to include caste enumeration in the Census, left the venue soon after the meeting began. While Ms Banerjee was in Kolkata, Mr Pawar was in England attending International Cricket Council’s function. Mr Abdullah was also learnt to have been traveling abroad.
Before meeting for the next time, the GoM also decided that in view of the issue’s political sensitivity, the government would seek fresh view of political parties on the matter. Sources confirmed that the parties would be asked to respond within four weeks. The move to refer the matter back to political parties is considered to be a “delaying tactic”, as one of the supporters of the measure in the GoM said, the government did not want to take a decision now.
However, the ministerial panel discussed the controversial issue in detail for about 90 minutes. The ministers deliberated on pros and cons of including caste in Census, the sources added. Those, including HRD minister Kapil Sibal, who are opposed to inclusion of caste in the Census, contended that it could harm the social fabric of the country, the sources said, adding that still a few members favoured the proposal.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting Mr Sibal said, “The Group of Ministers discussed threadbare issues before it and decided to meet again.”
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