Odisha Cabinet passes resolution seeking Socio Economic Caste Enumeration

Bhubaneswar, Jan 11: State Cabinet today passed resolution seeking a Social Economic Caste Enumeration alongside General Census. It can be conducted simultaneously along with the General Census, either by inserting suitable columns in the Census format or by prescribing a separate format for a simultaneous enumeration of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes/Castes. It was also resolved to impress upon the Central Government to ensure that these enumeration details are published without any delay. This shall enable the State Government to accelerate the pace of development of these communities leading to inclusive growth with greater momentum. Unavailability of reliable and authentic data about the exact numbers of the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes/Castes, geographical areas of their spread and density has been a huge challenge in ensuring focused and outcome specific planning. The necessity of having such data was well appreciated by the Government of India as evident from the Socio-Economic Caste Census of 2011. The Cabinet also took note of the fact that in the proposed formats for 2021 census, there is no provision to capture the details of the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes/Castes despite having done such exercise in the SECC 2011, the full data from which is yet to be released.