A sword hangs over the first "OBC/caste census" done by the country since the British counted the population share of different castes in 1931.
The Centre's decision to constitute a commission for "sub-categorisation of OBCs" has raised questions about the fate of the OBC headcount, done as part of the "socio-economic caste census" (SECC).
The 'OBC census' was ordered by the UPA government under pressure from backward satraps that the country find the population share of the Mandal bloc. Only SCs/STs are enumerated in the decennial "general census".
With the SECC data turned in during the first year of Modi government, the Union cabinet in July 2015 approved an expert committee headed by former Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya to analyse and classify the castes as enumerated in the SECC. But according to the information available in public domain, the Centre has not activated the panel by naming its members despite the passage of more than two years.
Also, there is scepticism in government echelons about the caste enumeration done in the SECC. A senior government source said no proof was sought for a respondent's claim of belonging to a particular caste and no attention was paid to technicalities like spelling of a caste which, with a minor difference, can change the social hierarchy.
Many believe there is a link between the doubts about the SECC and the reason why the expert panel has not yet taken off.
The lack of movement on 'caste census' has raised doubts if the government sees any utility of SECC in the project to sub-divide Mandal communities. It was believed by the now defunct National Commission for Backward Classes that household-wise socio-economic profile of OBCs under SECC would be a perfect tool to spot any caste-wise pattern of development among backwards and help in classifying a caste as "backward" or "most backward" or "extremely backward".
Though there is a possibility that the new commission on sub-classification of OBCs can seek the SECC data, questions abound on the feasibility of such a course. Analysis of the nationwide caste data would be a tedious and time-consuming task, which may not fit in the timeline of the NDA government in clinching sub-categorisation for which the Centre has shown urgency.
Union cabinet approved the constitution of the commission on August 23, and announced its chairperson, Justice G Rohini, and other members last week. Given the variables, many believe it may be the end of the first-ever "OBC census" undertaken by the country after independence.
Sub-categorisation seeks to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits among various communities since the weaker OBCs complain that Mandal quotas are monopolised by "stronger" backward groups.
The Centre's decision to constitute a commission for "sub-categorisation of OBCs" has raised questions about the fate of the OBC headcount, done as part of the "socio-economic caste census" (SECC).
The 'OBC census' was ordered by the UPA government under pressure from backward satraps that the country find the population share of the Mandal bloc. Only SCs/STs are enumerated in the decennial "general census".
With the SECC data turned in during the first year of Modi government, the Union cabinet in July 2015 approved an expert committee headed by former Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya to analyse and classify the castes as enumerated in the SECC. But according to the information available in public domain, the Centre has not activated the panel by naming its members despite the passage of more than two years.
Also, there is scepticism in government echelons about the caste enumeration done in the SECC. A senior government source said no proof was sought for a respondent's claim of belonging to a particular caste and no attention was paid to technicalities like spelling of a caste which, with a minor difference, can change the social hierarchy.
Many believe there is a link between the doubts about the SECC and the reason why the expert panel has not yet taken off.
The lack of movement on 'caste census' has raised doubts if the government sees any utility of SECC in the project to sub-divide Mandal communities. It was believed by the now defunct National Commission for Backward Classes that household-wise socio-economic profile of OBCs under SECC would be a perfect tool to spot any caste-wise pattern of development among backwards and help in classifying a caste as "backward" or "most backward" or "extremely backward".
Though there is a possibility that the new commission on sub-classification of OBCs can seek the SECC data, questions abound on the feasibility of such a course. Analysis of the nationwide caste data would be a tedious and time-consuming task, which may not fit in the timeline of the NDA government in clinching sub-categorisation for which the Centre has shown urgency.
Union cabinet approved the constitution of the commission on August 23, and announced its chairperson, Justice G Rohini, and other members last week. Given the variables, many believe it may be the end of the first-ever "OBC census" undertaken by the country after independence.
Sub-categorisation seeks to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits among various communities since the weaker OBCs complain that Mandal quotas are monopolised by "stronger" backward groups.