NEW DELHI: Union minister Chirag Paswan, a crucial NDA ally in Bihar, has sought for nationwide caste census on the grounds that it helps the government in formulating schemes for the “upliftment of castes”.
However, the LJP (Ram Vilas) leader said he was against making the census data public as it would lead to “division in society”.
“I feel that we should conduct a nationwide caste census.We have already conducted a similar activity in Bihar. Many schemes are prepared at the national as well as the state level for the upliftment of castes. Therefore, the government should have the exact details of that particular caste. However, I am absolutely not in support of making it public. It only leads to division in society,” Chirag Paswan said in an interview with news agency PTI.
Chirag was referring to the 2023 Bihar caste census that was released by CM Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government, which fell after the JD(U) chief abandoned it to return to the NDA fold ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
After Bihar’s execution as the demand for a nationwide caste census gained ground, Union home minister Amit Shah clarified last year that the BJP was never opposed to the idea of a caste census, but the “decisions have to be taken very thoughtfully”.
Ahead of the Union budget presentation on July 23, Paswan said he supported the demand for special category status for Bihar.
However, he noted that the NITI Aayog’s recommendations go against granting the demand and said an alternative like a special package should be given to the state.
The Hajipur MP, who now seems to have mended his ties with CM Nitish Kumar, also spoke about recent bridge collapse incidents in the state, stressing that the crumbling of structures hints at “corruption and compromises”.
The LJP (Ram Vilas) leader also sought punishment for culprits, saying a precedent should be set for the future.
“This is a serious issue and it cannot be taken lightly. This definitely shows that somewhere corruption has taken place. Compromises were made. I don’t want to get into the politics of who was in the government then. We are in the government now. It is our responsibility to make sure this does not get repeated. Whosoever is responsible should be held accountable and punished so that a precedent is set for the future,” Chirag Pawan said.
In less than a month, fifteen bridges collapsed across Bihar, highlighting issues such as construction flaws, the use of substandard materials, design violations, cost-cutting, lack of oversight, environmental factors like heavy rains and flooding, and external causes like heavy vehicle traffic and desiltation work causing deep scouring around the pillars.
The incidents of bridge collapse were reported in districts including East Champaran, Araria, Siwan, Madhubani, Kishanganj, Saran, and Saharsa.
Taking action in view of the bridge collapse incidents, the state government suspended 15 engineers.
The decision was taken after a probe panel submitted its report to the Water Resources Department (WRD).
However, the LJP (Ram Vilas) leader said he was against making the census data public as it would lead to “division in society”.
“I feel that we should conduct a nationwide caste census.We have already conducted a similar activity in Bihar. Many schemes are prepared at the national as well as the state level for the upliftment of castes. Therefore, the government should have the exact details of that particular caste. However, I am absolutely not in support of making it public. It only leads to division in society,” Chirag Paswan said in an interview with news agency PTI.
Chirag was referring to the 2023 Bihar caste census that was released by CM Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government, which fell after the JD(U) chief abandoned it to return to the NDA fold ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
After Bihar’s execution as the demand for a nationwide caste census gained ground, Union home minister Amit Shah clarified last year that the BJP was never opposed to the idea of a caste census, but the “decisions have to be taken very thoughtfully”.
Ahead of the Union budget presentation on July 23, Paswan said he supported the demand for special category status for Bihar.
However, he noted that the NITI Aayog’s recommendations go against granting the demand and said an alternative like a special package should be given to the state.
The Hajipur MP, who now seems to have mended his ties with CM Nitish Kumar, also spoke about recent bridge collapse incidents in the state, stressing that the crumbling of structures hints at “corruption and compromises”.
The LJP (Ram Vilas) leader also sought punishment for culprits, saying a precedent should be set for the future.
“This is a serious issue and it cannot be taken lightly. This definitely shows that somewhere corruption has taken place. Compromises were made. I don’t want to get into the politics of who was in the government then. We are in the government now. It is our responsibility to make sure this does not get repeated. Whosoever is responsible should be held accountable and punished so that a precedent is set for the future,” Chirag Pawan said.
In less than a month, fifteen bridges collapsed across Bihar, highlighting issues such as construction flaws, the use of substandard materials, design violations, cost-cutting, lack of oversight, environmental factors like heavy rains and flooding, and external causes like heavy vehicle traffic and desiltation work causing deep scouring around the pillars.
The incidents of bridge collapse were reported in districts including East Champaran, Araria, Siwan, Madhubani, Kishanganj, Saran, and Saharsa.
Taking action in view of the bridge collapse incidents, the state government suspended 15 engineers.
The decision was taken after a probe panel submitted its report to the Water Resources Department (WRD).