‘When the next Census comes, we will revise SC numbers… Ask Centre why it is not conducting Census’: Telangana minister on Dalit sub-quotas

In an interview with The Indian Express, Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who headed the Cabinet sub-committees on both the caste survey and internal reservation for SCs, defends the figures and why it was important for the party to conduct the exercise. Excerpts:

What was the need for a caste survey? Was it more a political necessity?

The caste survey was an election promise of the Congress and was supported in Telangana by (Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi. It was required because backward classes are not counted in the Census, like the SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are. The numbers of backward classes are always a guess, with nobody having the exact numbers.

The Congress firmly believes in social justice and providing the benefits of growth as per a community’s population. The fruits of development and growth must reach all sections of society. We felt a caste survey was needed for giving social justice and providing inclusive growth to backward classes. Hence, the Socio, Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste Survey was conducted.

There are allegations that there has been undercounting of backward classes. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) says its Samagra Kutumba Survey put their number at 61% of the population. Rajya Sabha MP R Krishnaiah also backed this.

This is a false allegation by the BRS as it is afraid of the positive response that we have been getting from all sections of society. The criticism is either politically motivated or stems from ignorance of the subject.

There was no enumeration of backward classes before this survey, with the last such exercise conducted by the British in 1931. The survey conducted during the BRS regime was not an official document and was never placed before the Cabinet or in the House. Its credibility is doubtful.

(Anyway) The percentage of backward classes in that survey was 50% to 51%, while our survey notes their numbers are 56.33% of the population. And that the numbers of other groups have dropped by six percentage points.

There was no undercounting as the survey was comprehensively undertaken by one lakh government employees. We believe the figures of our survey are authentic and that such a comprehensive, all-inclusive survey has not been done by anyone else in the country.

With regard to SC sub-categorisation, Dalit leader Manda Krishna Madiga has alleged that Madigas were not represented as per their numbers in giving them a 9% quota within SC reservation. Will this affect the sub-categorisation pitch?

Sub-categorisation has been the dream of all SC communities for decades. The fact that the Congress and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy implemented it is commendable.

The sub-categorisation was undertaken based on the 2011 Census figures and I am categorically saying that whenever the next Census comes, we will revise the percentage of SCs. Anyone criticising us for using 2011 Census data must question the BJP-led Centre on why the 2021 Census was not conducted. Had they done the Census, we would have used those figures.

The Opposition says the Congress government has failed to benefit either the backward classes or Dalits. Are you losing the perception game?

The performance of the Congress with regard to the caste survey and sub-categorisation cannot be based on individual opinions of some sections. Both the backward classes and SCs have welcomed the moves. You will see overwhelming results in the coming local body elections.

So you think the Congress’s promise of reserving 42% of seats to backward classes in the local body polls will yield good results?

The CM made this announcement on the floor of the House. Even before courts, we will support a 42% quota for backward classes.

A Congress MLC has also spoken out against the survey calling it bogus and burnt a copy of it…

The backward class and Dalit leaders are very happy. There is no reason to be unhappy. The MLC’s case is being dealt with by the state Congress chief.

Can Telangana be an example for the Congress’s caste census pitch nationally?

Yes, Telangana will be an example for the country.

In neighbouring Congress-ruled Karnataka, neither the caste survey nor the sub-categorisation have seen the light of day…

I cannot speak for Karnataka but Telangana’s caste survey and SC sub-categorisation is going to benefit crores of people… We have discharged our duty of standing by inclusive growth and social justice.