I assure RG caste census won't take six decades: Anupriya Patel

Union Minister and Apna Dal (S) chief Anupriya Patel feels caste census will help formulate data-driven policies for the intended beneficiaries. In an interview to Rakesh Mohan Chaturvedi, she hit out at Rahul Gandhi and the Congress for trying to claim credit. Excerpts:

Has the caste census decision come after long delay?
This is our first chance to conduct a census. Including caste data is a bold and historic move by the Modi government. Previous governments had many chances but didn't act.

Did Rahul Gandhi's push influence this decision?
Not at all. We're in our third term. Key steps like giving Constitutional status to the OBC Commission and NEET-PG quota were our initiatives. NDA allies like Apna Dal (S) and JD (U) have long supported this.


Will this lead to increased reservations?
This data is not being collected keeping reservations in view. Caste-based discrimination is a reality and caste is a critical determinant of socio-economic inequities in society. There is a huge population of SC/ST/OBCs which has been left behind. Government benefits do not reach the intended beneficiaries (due to lack of data).

Is this timed for the Bihar election?
There are elections every year- Bihar now, Tamil Nadu and others next. That logic can be applied any time.

SP and RJD also demanded a caste census. Should they get credit?
They were part of UPA. Why didn't they do it then? They also ruled states-did they conduct a caste census there?

Rahul Gandhi wants it done quickly. Will it be time-bound?
I assure him-it won't take 60 years. We will conduct it systematically.