March against caste-based Census

NEW DELHI: Hundreds of intellectuals, writers, artists, students and leaders representing various walks of civil society took out a protest march against the inclusion of caste in the census 2011 on Wednesday.

The march was led by Dr V P Vaidik, founder and national convener of Meri Jati Hindustani Movement. The march was taken out from Barakhamba Road and culminated at Jantar Mantar, where a public meeting was convened. Former ministers Balram Jakhar, Ram Jethmalani, Arif M Khan and former chief of joint intelligence, R K Madhok, and dancer Uma Sharma among others also joined the protesters.

Addressing the gathering, Jethmalani said that he was ready to shed the last drop of his blood to fight for this noble cause. He also quoted a letter of erstwhile leader of East India Company, Lord Clive, who had said that as long as caste system is alive in India, there is no threat to the British Empire. "The caste in the census will create a new monster which will demolish a modern India. Every right-thinking Indian must oppose this regressive idea,'' said Jethmalani.

Khan said that caste enumeration is a case of bad mathematics. It is unscientific. It will not benefit the poor. It will serve the narrow purpose of the creamy layers of the backward people. Other speakers noted that to divide India on the basis of caste would be a big embarrassment for an emerging world power like India.

हाउस वाइफ की हैसियत

हाउस वाइफ की हैसियत 26 Jul 2010, 0010 hrs IST,नवभारत टाइम्स
सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने हाल के एक फैसले में गृहिणियों को लेकर जो टिप्पणी की है, उससे न सिर्फ नीति-निर्माताओं
की बल्कि पूरे समाज की आंखें खुल जानी चाहिए। कोर्ट ने कहा कि एक हाउस वाइफ के काम को अनुत्पादक मानना महिलाओं के प्रति भेदभाव को दर्शाता है। दुर्भाग्य से यह भेदभाव समाज में तो है ही सरकार के स्तर पर भी है। कोर्ट ने इस बात पर हैरानी जताई कि जनगणना तक में घरेलू महिलाओं के प्रति पक्षपातपूर्ण रवैया झलकता है। 2001 की जनगणना में खाना पकाने, बर्तन साफ करने, बच्चों की देखभाल करने, पानी लाने, जलावन एकत्र करने जैसे घरेलू काम करने वाली महिलाओं को गैर-श्रमिक वर्ग में शामिल किया गया है और उनकी तुलना भिखारियों, वेश्याओं और कैदियों जैसे अनुत्पादक समझे जाने वाले वर्ग से की गई है। इस दृष्टिकोण को पूरी तरह गलत बताते हुए अदालत ने उस रिसर्च की चर्चा की जिसमें भारत की करीब 36 करोड़ गृहिणियों के कार्यों का वार्षिक मूल्य लगभग 612.8 अरब डॉलर आंका गया है। कोर्ट ने कहा कि संसद को कानूनों में संशोधन करना चाहिए ताकि दुर्घटना या वैवाहिक संपत्ति के बंटवारे के समय उनके कार्यों का वैज्ञानिक नजरिए से मूल्यांकन संभव हो सके। कोर्ट ने एक दुर्घटना में मारी गई उत्तर प्रदेश की रेणु के परिजनों को दी जाने वाली मुआवजे की राशि ढाई लाख से बढ़ाकर साढ़े छह लाख रुपये करने का आदेश देते हुए यह विस्तृत टिप्पणी की। दरअसल उसने एक सामाजिक सच की ओर हमारा ध्यान खींचा है। घरेलू काम की कीमत न आंके जाने के कारण ही स्त्रियां उपेक्षित रही हैं। दरअसल हमारे पुरुष प्रधान समाज में हाउस वाइफ के कार्यों को दोयम दर्जे का समझा जाता है और यह माना जाता है कि यह सब तो उन्हें किसी भी हाल में करना ही है। लेकिन बदले में उन्हें अपेक्षित सम्मान और स्नेह तक नहीं मिलता। यह स्थिति उन्हें शारीरिक और मानसिक रूप से तोड़ देती है। सचाई यह है कि परिवार और समाज की नींव महिलाओं के उन कार्यों पर टिकी है, जो कहीं दर्ज नहीं होते। ग्रामीण जीवन में तो महिलाओं के योगदान के बगैर कृषि कार्य संभव ही नहीं हैं। शहरों में भी स्थिति अलग नहीं है। हाल के वर्षों में शिक्षित औरतों के एक बड़े तबके ने रोजी-रोजगार के नए-नए क्षेत्रों में प्रवेश किया है लेकिन एक बड़ी संख्या उनकी भी है, जिन्होंने सोच-समझकर हाउस वाइफ रहना स्वीकार किया है ताकि वे घर-परिवार को पर्याप्त समय दे सकें और अपने बच्चों का भविष्य बना सकें। वे रोजमर्रा के जीवन को बेहतर बनाने के लिए जो योगदान दे रही हैं उसका महत्व किसी भी रूप में कम नहीं है।

Census 2011 stalls BPL headcount

Census 2011 has unintentionally stalled the below-poverty-line (BPL) headcount for the Eleventh Five Year Plan.
Officials of the rural development ministry found to their dismay that the census operation clashed with their own efforts to collect data on the below-poverty-line population across the country. Left with no choice, they have deferred the process. It will now be kicked off after next April, when the second stage of Census 2011 draws to a close.

The rural development ministry has been providing financial, logistical and technical support to various states and Union Territories for conducting the below-poverty-line census, which is generally held in the beginning of each Five Year Plan, to "identify rural households living below the poverty line which could be provided assistance under various programmes run by the ministry." These include NREGA, PMGSY and the Indira Awaas Yojana. Identification of the below-poverty-line households plays an important role in selecting right beneficiaries. The below-poverty-line censuses have been so far conducted in 1992, 1997 and 2002 for the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Five Year Plans, respectively. The ministry has, in the meanwhile, decided to utilise the additional time provided to them by identifying, selecting and training the officials and volunteers who are expected to be involved in collecting and compiling the data from all the villages. The rural development ministry had on August 12, 2008, constituted an expert group, headed by Mr N C Saxena, who’s now a member of the National Advisory Council, to advise it on employing the right methodology. The panel submitted its report a year later (August 21, 2009).

The expert group, according to ministry officials, had suggested pre-testing the methodology with alternative methodologies. It has, in keeping with this, decided to undertake a pilot project to zero down on the most appropriate methodology to be employed for the next below-poverty-line headcount. The pilot project would be conducted in 260 villages, cutting across the country.

First phase of Census 2011 concludes in Nagaland

The first phase of the arduous census 2011 in Nagaland is finally over. The department of Census and all government employees involved in the exercise have put in painstaking efforts to bring out a correct census.

Although confronted with multiple problems during the first phase, the department is already gearing up for the second phase which will begin February next year. In the meantime, data for the National Population Register (NPR) will be scanned for the bio-metrics by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi, after being dispatched. The process of scanning the NPR sheets will start by August.

The first phase of census which began on June 1 was not without hurdles. This was the first time such a heavy exercise was being conducted. Data collection for the NPR was introduced for the first time, making it harder for enumerators and supervisors to conduct the exercise. ‘Master trainers’ were introduced to train the enumerators and supervisors on data collection. Community monitors drawn from various tribal organisations were also appointed to assist during campaigns and to spread awareness.

During the census operations, the department confronted cases of population inflation and attempts to increase the number of households. There were reports of highly inflated figures from several pockets of the state. There were also reports of diktats from some village functionaries to citizens living in towns, to enumerate in their respective villages. As a result, under-enumeration was reported from small towns and district headquarters. In this regard, the department has expressed fear of a demographic change. There was also confusion about the census with the electoral – as the electoral revision was conducted around the same time. In some areas, trainings had to be reconducted because enumerators were confused about the proper use of NPR sheets. Apart from few stray incidents, enumerations were generally carried out smoothly. Nodal officers were posted in all districts to assess the situation. Further, the department has taken all corrective measures possible in areas that reported inflation and increase in household numbers.

Despite the hurdles, the Director of Census Operation, Hekali Zhimomi has expressed optimism and satisfaction in the first phase of the census. She said the department is already gearing up for the second phase. The second phase is slated for February 9 to 28, 2011. It will be followed by revision (to include death and birth) on April, followed by the bio-metrics.

SC ruling may result in caste census

The demand for caste census is likely to get a fillip with the Supreme Court on Tuesday appearing to draw a link between OBC population and quantum of reservation for backward classes.

Coming just ahead of Parliament's monsoon session where proponents of caste census are set to renew their pitch, the order allowing Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to continue reservations exceeding the SC's 50% cap can inspire pro-Mandal players to push anew for an exercise to determine the exact population of backward castes. The SC relief is laden with possibilities, the biggest being a political justification for OBC satraps who have chafed at the 50% cap.

The fresh linkage between population and reservation quantum, even if not final, comes just when OBC satraps have stepped up pressure for caste census. The delay and the voices of opposition from Congress ranks have led them to fear that government could be backpedalling.

With Parliament session looming, the government may find itself under more pressure from backward outfits like SP and RJD who it needs on its side to boost its numbers. While the proponents of caste census have argued that enumeration of OBCs was required to better target the policies of OBC welfare, like knowing the size of the OBC group would help in determining the funds for welfare schemes, suspicions remain that the demand is actually driven by quota considerations.

The anti-caste census camp believes that the `Q' word has been avoided as it would have invited resistance from non-reserved communities and mired the issue in controversy. But the ruling is a welcome relief for Congress vis-a-vis coalition politics.

Deadline over, first phase of Ceunss yet to be completed in UP

Even after the June 30-deadline, the first phase of Census 2010 is far from over in the big towns of Uttar Pradesh. According to Census officials, the first phase — which includes data collection for Housing Census, House Listing and National Population Register (NPR) — is yet to be completed in towns where municipal corporations are handling the task.
Last week, after receiving reports on the tardy progress of the project, the state Directorate of Census Operations (DCO) had approached the state government seeking its intervention. On the DCO’s request, the government on Monday asked all divisional commissioners to direct the district magistrates to complete the exercise at the earliest.
“In almost all districts, the first phase of the Census has been completed. But the progress is tardy in municipal corporations, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi and Ghaziabad,” said A M Ansari, Deputy Director of the state DCO.
Among other municipal corporations, the first phase of the project has been completed only in Moradabad and Bareilly. The exercise is nearing completion in Agra, Aligarh, Meerut, Saharanpur and Gorakhpur. “We have requested the state government to issue directives in this regard to the divisional commissioners during their monthly review meeting in July,” said Ansari.
Last Saturday, the DCO had held a meeting with its in-charges in 71 districts to review the progress of the project. “We have received reports that enumeration is complete in almost everywhere except in big towns. While in a few towns, the enumerators did not show interest in the exercise in the beginning, at other places, they were not aware about the given areas — thus resulting in the delay,” said a DCO official.
According to sources, the helpline at the DCO office in Lucknow is still receiving complaints from people that enumerators have not reached their localities for survey. In the last one week, such complaints have poured mostly from Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Allahabad and Varanasi.
After the completion of the field survey, the district in-charges will submit the data by the end of this month. While the data of 46 districts will be brought to the Lucknow office, the remaining will be sent to New Delhi. “In the next six months, the data will be scanned and analysed. Then it will be used to prepare the report on Housing Census and House Listing as well as NPR,” said Ansari. The second phase of Census will begin in February 2011.

PM और मंत्री-समूह से जाति जनगणना का विरोध करने की अपील

नई दिल्ली. ‘सबल’ भारत द्वारा संचालित ‘मेरी जाति हिन्दुस्तानी’ आंदोलन ने प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह और जाति जनगणना के मसले पर गठित मंत्री-समूह के अध्यक्ष प्रणव मुखर्जी तथा उसके सदस्यों को पत्र लिखकर अनुरोध किया है कि वे वर्ष २क्११ की जनगणना में जाति को शामिल करने का फैसला न करें।आंदोलन के राष्ट्रीय संयोजक डॉ. वेदप्रताप वैदिक की ओर से भेजे गए पत्र में कहा गया है कि जाति जनगणना जैसे गंभीर मामले में जल्दबाजी में फैसला लेना देशहित में नहीं होगा। पत्र में इस मसले पर समाज के सभी वर्गो के प्रबुद्ध लोगों की राय का उल्लेख करते हुए बताया गया है कि गृह राज्यमंत्री अजय माकन ने जाति जनगणना का विरोध किया है।
लोकसभा अध्यक्ष मीरा कुमार, भाजपा नेता मुरली मनोहर जोशी, राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के सरसंचालक मोहन भागवत, शिवसेना प्रमुख बाल ठाकरे, शिरोमणि गुरुद्वारा प्रबंधक कमेटी ने भी जाति जनगणना को देश के लिए खतरनाक बताया है। ‘सबल’ भारत के साथ जुड़े सोमनाथ चटर्जी, बलराम जाखड़, वसंत साठे, जगमोहन और डॉ कपिला वात्स्यायन जैसे लोगों ने भी जाति जनगणना को अनावश्यक बताया है।
जस्टिस केएस वर्मा, जस्टिस राजेंद्र सच्चर, राम जेठमलानी, फली नरीमन और सोली सोराबजी ने भी इसे देश के लिए विघटनकारी बताया है। देश के प्रमुख आध्यात्मिक और धार्मिक नेताओं ने जातिवाद को मानव धर्म के खिलाफ घोषित किया है। वैदिक ने मंत्रियों को लिखे अपने पत्र में कहा है कि जाति जनगणना से वंचित वर्गो को लाभ मिलने के बजाए नुकसान होगा।
वंचितों में भी कई ऊंची-नीची जातियां उठ खड़ी होंगी और ऐसे लोग भी विशेष सुविधाओं के लिए दावे करेंगे, जिसकी उन्हें वास्तव में जरूरत नहीं है। उन्होंने पत्र के अंत में लिखा है, ‘अगर देश की गरीबी दूर करना है तो जातियों के आंकड़े इकट्ठा करने की बजाए गरीबी के आंकड़े और कारणों की खोज की जानी चाहिए। यही वैज्ञानिक जनगणना है।’

जाति आधारित जनगणना में देरी पर सरकार का होगा भारी विरोध: शरद

जदयू अध्यक्ष शरद यादव ने कहा है कि जाति के आधार पर जनगणना में और ‘‘देरी’’ हुयी तो सरकार को संयुक्त विपक्ष के विरोध का सामना करना पड़ेगा और उनकी पार्टी महिला आरक्षण विधेयक को उसके मौजूदा स्वरूप में विरोध करती रहेगी.
जाति के आधार पर जनगणना में देरी को लेकर केंद्र सरकार की खिंचाई करते हुए यादव ने कहा, ‘‘जनगणना में जाति को शामिल किए जाने पर राजग एवं संप्रग दोनों में पूर्ण सहमति है. एक दो सदस्यों को छोड़कर कांग्रेस में इसका व्यापक समर्थन है. अगर वे देरी के लिए बहाना बनाते हैं तो इसे स्वीकार नहीं किया जाएगा.’’ उन्होंने साक्षात्कार में कहा कि इस मुद्दे पर मंत्रियों के समूह के गठन को लेकर संदेह पैदा होता है कि सरकार इसमें देर करना चाहती है.
यादव ने हाल ही में आरोप लगाया था कि केंद्र सरकार मामले में देर करना चाहती है. महिला आरक्षण विधेयक के मुद्दे पर उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘मौजूदा स्वरूप में विधेयक को समर्थन देने का सवाल ही नहीं है. इस संबंध में हमारा विरोध नया नहीं है. हम इसका खुलेआम विरोध कर रहे हैं. कांग्रेस सहित विभिन्न दलों में अधिकतर नेता इसे नहीं चाहते लेकिन वे सार्वजनिक रूप से इसे व्यक्त नहीं कर सकते.’’
यादव ने कहा, ‘‘सवाल संप्रग या राजग का नहीं है. अगर पार्टियां व्हिप जारी नहीं करती हैं तो विधेयक गिर जाएगा. उसे कहीं से समर्थन नहीं मिलेगा.’’ उन्होंने याद किया कि वित्त मंत्री प्रणव मुखर्जी ने उन्हें और मौजूदा स्वरूप में विधेयक का विरोध करने वाले अन्य लोगों को आश्वस्त किया था कि इस संबंध में एक सर्वदलीय बैठक के बाद ही फैसला किया जाएगा.
यह पूछे जाने पर कि अगले सत्र के दौरान लोकसभा में विधेयक पेश किए जाने पर विपक्ष की क्या प्रतिक्रिया होगी, यादव ने कहा, ‘‘वे इस प्रकार कैसे विधेयक पारित करवा सकते हैं. इसका लोकसभा में भारी विरोध होगा. यह राज्यसभा नहीं है जहां उन्होंने नौ मार्च को मार्शल की मदद से सदस्यों को बाहर कर विधेयक पारित करवा लिया.’’ यादव ने उच्च सदन में विधेयक के पारित होने के दौरान पार्टी के अंदर मतभेद उभरने की बात को बहुत तवज्जो नहीं दी.

'स्कूल चलें हम'सर्वे जनगणना की तर्ज पर

इंदौर. 'स्कूल चलें हम' अभियान का सर्वेक्षण पूरी तरह जनगणना की तर्ज पर ही किया जाएगा। जनगणना में लगे कर्मचारियों को ही यह काम सौंप दिया है। विभाग ने इसका तारीखवार कार्यक्रम भी जारी कर दिया है। यह प्रदेशभर में लागू है। शहरों में कामकाजी बच्चों की अधिकता देखते हुए विभाग ने उन्हें विशेष प्राथमिकता देने के लिए कहा है। राज्य शिक्षा केंद्र ने सभी कलेक्टर व निगमायुक्त को सर्वेक्षण संबंधी आदेश भेजे है। इसमें कहा गया है सर्वे के दौरान मतदाता सूची का प्रयोग जरूर होगा। साथ ही शहरी क्षेत्रों में प्लेटफार्म, दुकानों, बस स्टैंड और सार्वजनिक स्थानों पर काम करने वाले बच्चों पर विशेष ध्यान दिया जाएगा। 31 जुलाई तक सर्वे होगा। इसके बाद 15 अगस्त तक प्रत्येक बच्चे की एंट्री विभाग के पोर्टल पर करना होगी।

Caste census issue in limbo as no consensus among parties

NEW DELHI: With the GoM failing to take a clear stand on caste-based census at its first meeting held on Thursday, and Congress refusing to take a call, the demand, it would appear, has been put in a limbo.

The Opposition, on its part, has made it clear that it’ll not bail the government out on the issue. The GoM, which met here for an hour-and-a-half on Thursday evening, was, it is learnt, split on the issue. With consensus eluding the ministerial group, it was decided that other political parties too should be brought into the loop, and their views elicited.

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, who heads the group, will shortly be writing letters to leaders of various political outfits to seek their opinion. The move, it is learnt, has been prompted by two considerations. After displaying an initial burst of enthusiasm on demands for including caste as a reference point in the ongoing census exercise, the government leadership, it is learnt, has developed cold-feet.

By attempting to involve the other political parties in the decision-making process, the GoM, it’d appear, is seeking to buy time. Also, by trying to get other political parties, particularly BJP and the Left parties, on board, the government leadership, it is being argued in some quarters, is reluctant to get all the flak and is, therefore, keen to apportion the blame, should a decision either way become a political hot potato in the future, as had happened in the case of the Telangana controversy. BJP, the country’s principal Opposition party, made it clear on Friday that it was on mood to take the bait. ``The government should first open its cards. After all, a decision on the demand has to be taken by the government. Once a structured view of the government comes to us, only then will we take a call in the light of its response,’’ the party’s chief spokesman, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad told. “After all, on such a sensitive issue, the government itself is speaking in many voices. Congress should first clarify its stand,’’ the BJP spokesman added.

Congress, on its part, opted to remain evasive, refusing to spell out its stand despite persistent queries. ``The GoM is looking in to the issue. From the reports appearing today, it’d appear that the group would elicit the opinion of various political parties on the subject. We’ll articulate our position only when they (the GoM) approach us,’’ party spokesman Manish Tewari said. The Congress leader refused to place his party’s cards on the table, taking refuge behind reports that the GoM would solicit the views of various political parties before formulating its recommendation.

जनगणना पूरी, रिकार्ड जमा होना शुरू

श्रीगंगानगर

जनगणना का पहला चरण पूरा होने के साथ ही तमाम रिकार्ड जिलेभर में चार्ज अधिकारियों के यहां जमा होना शुरू हो गया। यहां शहरी क्षेत्र में हुई जनगणना का रिकार्ड नगर परिषद तथा ग्रामीण क्षेत्र का रिकार्ड तहसील में जमा करवाया जा रहा है।

शहरी क्षेत्र के चार्ज अधिकारी व आयुक्त जीवनदास डगला ने बताया कि कुल 76 प्रगणकों में से 13 का रिकार्ड जमा हो चुका है। रिकार्ड जमा करने के लिए आठ काउंटर स्थापित किए गए हैं और सभी पर एक-एक मास्टर ट्रेनर भी लगाया है। जिला जनगणना अधिकारी आरएस लांबा ने बताया कि जिलेभर में रिकार्ड जमा होने का काम चार जुलाई तक चलेगा। इसके बाद 15 व 16 जुलाई को रिकार्ड पोस्ट ऑफिस विभाग द्वारा जयपुर भेजा जाएगा। सभी प्रगणकों को चेताया गया है कि वे यह रिकार्ड किसी को नहीं दिखाएंगे और न ही किसी को बताएंगे।

Cabinet still divided on caste census

New Delhi: Divided over whether caste should be included in the Census, a Group of Ministers (GoM) has failed to reach a conclusion on the politically-sensitive issue and decided that the government would seek views of political parties on the matter.The parties will be asked to respond within four weeks, the GoM, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, decided. The ministerial body discussed the controversial issue in detail for about 90 minutes, deliberating on pros and cons of including caste in census, sources said. Some members of the GoM favoured inclusion of caste while others were opposed, contending that it could harm the social fabric of the country, they said.
"The Group of Ministers discussed threadbare issues before it and decided to meet again... we will meet soon," HRD Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters after the meeting.Government had last month decided to set up the GoM on the controversial issue after consensus eluded at two meetings of the Union Cabinet.Parties like SP, RJD and JD(U) are strongly in favour of including caste in census and disrupted proceedings of Parliament in the last Budget Session by pressing their demands. They are likely to raise the issue during Monsoon Session of Parliament expected to commence in the third week of this month.There are divisions even within Congress over the issue. Caste census was last conducted in the country in 1931.Besides Mukherjee, the GoM includes Home Minister P Chidambaram, Law Minister M Veerappa Moily, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran. Of them, Moily, who has been the most vocal supporter of including caste in census, left soon after the meeting began.Abdullah, Pawar and Banerjee also did not attend meeting.

The issue of inclusion of caste in census has triggered a debate with a section opposing it saying that it would divide the society on caste lines while others advocate that it would ensure fairer distribution of resources to the backward and downtrodden sections of the society.Reports had it that Chidambaram had suggested that the caste-based census should be included in the second phase of the ongoing census exercise and clubbed with the biometric card data to ease the logistical constraints.