Hyderabad: Ponnam Prabhakar, minister for transport and backward classes welfare, on Sunday called for a nationwide caste census with a separate OBC column in the 2027 Census to ensure fair representation for the BCs in proportion to their population.Speaking at the National OBC Conference at Hotel Tourism Plaza in Begumpet, Ponnam said a scientific enumeration of the BC population was essential to determine their share of reservations and political representation. The conference was organised on the theme, “Central Govt Policy Decisions on OBC Census: Immediate Responsibilities and Future Action Plan for OBCs.”
The minister said Telangana had already completed its caste survey and submitted the report to Centre after following constitutional procedures. He said the survey used door-to-door data collection based on self-declarations, with one govt employee assigned as an enumerator for every 150 families.Ponnam said empirical data on the population and socio-economic conditions of BCs was necessary to frame appropriate reservation policies. He thanked National BC Association chairperson Jajula Srinivas Goud and his associates for their efforts in bringing leaders and intellectuals from across the country onto a single platform to discuss BC issues.“Why is there reluctance to enumerate the BC population, even though population counts of various other sections are conducted across the country? How can we determine the appropriate share for BCs without first counting their numbers?” the minister asked.He clarified that a caste census was not merely a statistical exercise but the foundation of social justice. The minister said BCs were not opposed to reservations for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). However, he stated that the 50% reservation cap should not become an obstacle to ensuring justice for BCs based on their population.He emphasised the need to make decisions on reservations based on comprehensive data on the BC population and their social, educational and economic conditions.“All the states across the country need to speak with one voice for the rights of BCs. This is not an issue concerning any single political party, but rather a matter relating to the rights of BCs nationwide. Telangana has shown the way to the nation by completing its caste survey,” he added.“The BC population must be enumerated scientifically; fair representation must be provided in proportion to the population; and there must be a united nationwide struggle for the rights of BCs,” the minister said.
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