The State of Bihar has defended its executive decision of conducting a caste-based census before the Supreme Court, saying that it was carried out under the constitutional mandates and aimed at creating better government policies for disadvantaged groups, based on their socio-economic data.
Filing a detailed affidavit before the Apex Court, the JDU-BJP alliance government said that it has now taken steps to achieve the same on the basis of the survey report.
Giving an overview of the steps taken in pursuance of the findings of the survey report, including quota benefits, housing scheme, employment generation support, small entrepreneur scheme, and educational support, the Bihar government said that a copy of the report on data released under the caste-based survey has already been sent to all the departments of the state government for framing plans and making schemes for the welfare of people of the state.
Different departments were working to provide the required welfare benefits to the people of Bihar, it added.
The affidavit was filed in response to a batch of petitions challenging the Patna High Court order that upheld the state government’s decision to undertake the caste-based survey.