Maha must clarify stand on caste census: Council dy chair

MUMBAI: After a ruckus in the legislative council over Maha Vikas Aghadi MLCs' demand for a caste-based census in Maharashtra, deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe Thursday asked state government to clarify its stand and announce its policy on having a caste-based census soon. Other Backward Classes minister Atul Save said since the Maratha reservation issue is pending in SC, the state government hasn't taken any action on having a caste-based census.

Save was replying to a question raised by MLC Kapil Patil, who demanded that just like Bihar, Maharashtra must conduct a caste-based census.

Kapil Patil and PWP's Jayant Patil asked Save to specifically state if the state government was going to have a caste-based census or not since Patil said SC had not issued any stay order on conducting such a census. "This is an issue that has serious ramifications and many MLCs want answers from the government. So Savemust speak to CM and deputy CM and then clarify the government's policy on this," Gorhe said. Last month, Ajit Pawar had demanded that government carry out a caste-based census on the lines of that carried out by Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government.