The Andhra Pradesh Government on Wednesday began a comprehensive caste census on a pilot basis.
The pillar census is being conducted in three village and two ward secretariats, said Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna, Minister for BC Welfare.
The minister told reporters: “The exercise is meant to assess the effectiveness of the existing proforma of the caste-based census. The challenges observed during the pilot stage will be addressed before the commencement of the census.”
“Five round-table conferences will be conducted across the State between November 17 and 24 in connection with the census. They will be held at Rajamahendravaram and Kurnool on November 17, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada on November 18 and at Tirupati on November 24,” he added.
Mentioning that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has taken the decision to conduct caste census in the State with a vision, the minister said, “The objective of the caste census is to ensure empowerment of the poor in all the castes.”
He claimed that it will be useful to fulfill the aspirations of 139 odd BC castes in the State.
The State Cabinet at its meeting chaired by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on November 3 approved a proposal to conduct the caste-based census in the State.
