In a significant move towards social justice, the Andhra Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has initiated a comprehensive caste census. Backward Classes Welfare, Information, and Cinematography Minister Chelluboyina Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna expressed optimism that this initiative would pave the way for a more just and equal society.
Widening the Horizon: Inclusive Survey Decision
The significant decision to broaden the survey’s scope to encompass all castes is a departure from previous practices that only included Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Minister Venugopala Krishna emphasized that this expansion aims to benefit economically weaker families from all castes, underlining the government’s dedication to people’s welfare. The minister believes that this survey will lay the foundation for a more just and equitable society.
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Training for Transparency: A Comprehensive Approach
To ensure the survey’s transparency, the government is organizing training programs for village/ward volunteers and other participants. Starting from November 21, a comprehensive training program will be initiated at the village and mandal levels, focusing on transparent survey methodologies. Officials from six districts, including Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, and NTR, actively participated in a regional conference on caste survey held in Vijayawada on November 20. The conference provided a platform for sharing insights and recommendations for the successful execution of the caste census.
🚨Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves Caste-Based Census; Survey Set to Commence After November 20th.#AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/pVrIypuTWY
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Alleviating Poverty: District Collector’s Directive
NTR District Collector S. Dilli Rao highlighted the role of the survey in alleviating the conditions of the poor. A total of 10,500 volunteers from 605 secretariats in the district are undergoing training to participate in the survey, aiming to address economic disparities among various caste groups.
Assurance from District Collector: Fool–Proof Implementation
In Vizianagaram, district administration is gearing up for a fool-proof implementation of the caste survey. District Collector S. Nagalakshmi and Joint Collector K. Mayur Ashok have directed officials to provide adequate training for staff and volunteers participating in the survey.
The survey teams will collect data on names, ages, sex, caste, sub-caste, region, and economic status of the people. Information related to property, land, houses, livestock, professional activity, income sources, educational qualifications, and access to basic amenities will also be gathered.
District Collector S. Nagalakshmi reassured the public, urging them to provide authentic information without fear. She emphasized that the data collection is aimed at understanding the economic conditions of people belonging to different castes. Additionally, arrangements are being made to address queries through internal help desks.
Call for Extended Survey Period
Leaders of opposition parties and communities expressed concern over the allocated time period for the survey. They urged the government to extend the survey duration to 15 days, considering the complexity of collecting accurate data, especially for sub-castes.
The caste census initiatives undertaken by the Andhra Pradesh government reflect a commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society. The efforts to address economic disparities and ensure transparency in data collection mark a transformative step towards social justice.
