Caste census data will help in empowerment of BCs: Ponnam Prabhakar

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar defends transparent caste census, criticizes BRS and BJP for baseless criticism and divisive politics.

Minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Transport Ponnam Prabhakar has said that the recent caste census was conducted in a transparent manner with precision and its comprehensive data will help in devising effective policies for the welfare and empowerment of the backward classes and other marginalised communities.

Speaking to the media here on Friday, the Minister hit out at the BRS and the BJP State leaders for what he called their baseless criticism of the landmark caste census with selfish political designs. BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao and working president K.T. Rama Rao and a host of other BRS leaders did not participate in the caste census, he said, adding: “The BRS leaders have no moral right to criticise the landmark caste survey aimed at the welfare of the marginalized sections of the society.”

The gigantic exercise of caste census was conducted by around one lakh government employees and other enumerators under the aegis of the State Planning Department in a scientific manner.

The enumerators covered around 1.12 crore households across the State for 50 days, he said, referring to the Congress party’s ‘Kamareddy BC Declaration’ and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s commitment of ‘Jitni abadi, utna haq,’ he said.

He further added that the caste census had put the BC’s population in Telangana at 56% and the database will help lay out a roadmap for the welfare, emancipation and empowerment of the BCs and other marginalised communities.

He lashed out at the BJP accusing it of pursuing divisive politics and working with a feudal mindset undermining the interests of the weaker and downtrodden sections of society.