Govt gives in to pressure, caste enters Census '10

New Delhi, May 8: Under pressure from the backward class lobby cutting across political parties, the Congress-led UPA government gave in to the demand for caste-based Census for 2010 late on Friday, May 7.

After Manmohan Singh assured the Lok Sabha that all the members' views are being considered and a decision on the matter would be taken 'soon', UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi stepped in.

Sonia Gandhi entered the lower house shortly after the Prime Minister's statement managed to mollify the Opposition parties and the leaders campaigning for caste-based Census.

Sonia Gandhi's apparent approval of the Prime Minister's statement in the house was followed by discussions, after which Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the media, "Yes, we will include it (caste) in this census."

The mammoth census 2010 started on Apr 1, 2010. The Finance Minister was of the opinion that it is not too late to include the criterion.

The government's U-turn from the enumeration based on universally-accepted demographic tools came just hours after Home Minister P Chidmabram angered the OBC lobby by ruling out the inclusion of caste.

There are reports that Congress is divided over the issue too.

OneIndia News