CPI(M) asks Centre to make public caste breakup

Joining the chorus, CPI(M) today appealed the government to "immediately" release the caste breakup enumerated under the Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011, saying it will help frame policies for affirmative action.
"The Central government must not restrict any further release of the caste-wise information on socio-economic indicators collected by this Census.
"This would be for the first time since 1931 that the relative socio-economic status of various caste groups will be shown. This should help in framing policies for affirmative action that have been promised by various central governments but not implemented till date," the party said.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury told reporters here that report findings, released on July 3, send a "very bad" signal as far as the economy under BJP government is concerned.

Yechury also expressed concern over "rising degree of poverty" in the country after conclusion of party's two-day politburo meeting here today.
"The caste census results show the degree of poverty in our country has actually risen. According to the initial report, 92 per cent of our people are earning less than Rs 10,000 a month.

"This is a very bad signal as far as economy under this BJP government is concerned. We don't know why this government is not making them public. The survey has been done, that data has been tabulated. So, we are demanding that should be made public immediately," Yechury demanded.

He added that the politburo discussed the issue during its meeting.
According to the SECC, the highest earning member in about three-fourths of all rural households in the country made less than Rs 5,000 per month.
The report stated that there were 13.34 crore or 74.49 per cent households where "monthly income of highest earning household member" was below Rs 5,000.
The Centre has refrained from releasing caste-based data in its first SECC released in eight decades and maintained it was concerned with economic data which will help in effective implementation of its programmes.
The Government could face a united Opposition attack in Monsoon Session of Parliament over not releasing caste count data with parties like Congress, CPI-M, DMK, SP, RJD and JD-U closing ranks on the issue.