What does the Bihar Caste-based Survey 2022 reveal?
The survey indicates that nearly 63% of Bihar's population consists of extremely backward classes (EBCs) and other backward classes (OBCs), making them the largest caste group in the state.
How did this survey come about?
The Bihar legislature passed resolutions in 2019 and 2020 in favor of a caste census. However, when the Union government decided not to conduct a caste-wise census,
Bihar initiated its own survey in 2022, allocating Rs.500 crore for the effort. The survey involved documenting details of 29 million households through a two-phase counting exercise.
What are the key findings of the survey?
EBCs, comprising 112 castes, make up 36.01% of the population, while OBCs, consisting of 29 castes, represent 27.12%.
Yadavs are the dominant caste within the OBC group, with a 14.26% share. Scheduled Castes account for 19.65%, and the general unreserved population stands at 15.52%.
Will this report impact reservation quotas in Bihar?
Yes, it is expected to lead to an increase in reservation quotas in line with the population proportions revealed in the survey.
This could potentially challenge the 50% ceiling on reservation imposed by the Supreme Court.
How will this survey influence politics in Bihar?
The report has triggered debates over caste composition and political representation. Experts believe it may weaken "hindutva forces"
in upcoming elections and revive "mandal versus kamandal" (backward versus forward) politics in the state.
Will there be more welfare schemes for marginalized sections?
The survey's findings are likely to compel political parties to announce and implement more welfare schemes for the poor and marginalized sections,
considering that they constitute 85% of Bihar's population.
When will the socio-economic profile be released?
The government plans to release the socio-economic profile of the surveyed population during the upcoming winter session of the State legislature.
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