The first-ever assessment of the social and educational circumstances of the state’s backward caste people was launched in Odisha on Monday, May 1. According to Hindustan Times, the study asks about the types of homes people live in, how they make a living, and whether they have access to facilities like hospitals, schools, marketplaces, and institutions.
Odisha is the second state to conduct a study of this nature, following Bihar, which started a caste census effort in January. Despite mounting pressure to conduct a statewide caste census, the Union government has not responded favourably to the suggestion.
According to The Times of India, the survey, which is being carried out by the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes, will come to an end on May 27. According to IANS, citizens of Odisha can choose to complete the survey online or offline.
According to state minister for SC, ST development, minorities, and welfare of the backward classes Jagannath Sarka, the survey is being conducted to better plan policies and programmes for the underprivileged. “Our chief minister, Biju Janata Dal’s Naveen Patnaik, never engaged in caste politics. We might plan for the OBC population more skillfully with the aid of the survey.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress both oppose the action in Odisha, claiming it is an effort to win over OBC voters before of the elections. Along with the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, Odisha will hold assembly elections.
On the other hand, the Congress has recently pushed for a caste census to be undertaken at the national level.
India’s most recent census took place in 2011. The COVID-19 pandemic had initially caused the Census, which was set for 2021, to be postponed.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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