Monday, May 12 2025 | Time 20:13 Hrs(IST)
States » SouthPosted at: May 12 2025 5:23PM


Officials misleading Centre on Census Law: Dr V K Mohan Rao

Hyderabad, May 12 (UNI) Dr Vakulabharanam Krishna Mohan Rao, former Chairman of the Telangana Backward Classes Commission, has expressed serious concern over the legal handling of caste enumeration in the national census.

Calling it a landmark and historic step, he emphasised that implementing caste enumeration lawfully requires suitable amendments to the Census Act, 1948.

However, he alleged that instead of acknowledging this necessity, certain officials are misinterpreting the law and misleading the central government.

He cited the Delhi Laws Act case (1951), in which the Supreme Court ruled that executive actions cannot override legislative provisions, especially in areas not covered under existing law.

Dr Vakulabharanam also referred to the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011, stating that it led to a massive waste of Rs 4,893 crore and included over 46.73 lakh faulty entries, particularly in gotras and surnames.

He pointed out that the Panagariya Committee, formed to analyse the SECC data, did not submit any report. In 2021, the Union Government itself submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court, admitting that the SECC data was unreliable for policy purposes.

He explained that while Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are enumerated under constitutional provisions, Backward Classes do not have such statutory recognition. As a result, amendments to the Census Act are unavoidable if BC enumeration is to be carried out in a legally valid manner.

Dr Vakulabharanam further warned that proceeding with caste enumeration without a proper legal framework could violate the fundamental right to privacy, as upheld in the Puttaswamy judgment of 2017.

Drawing comparisons with countries such as the United States, South Africa, and Brazil—where race and group-based enumeration is conducted under clear legal frameworks—he stressed that India must follow a similar constitutional and parliamentary approach, rather than resorting to executive shortcuts.
He reiterated that caste enumeration is not intended for political advantage but is vital to realising the constitutional goal of social justice, a statement said on Monday.
UNI VV GNK
Tags: #Officials misleading Centre on Census Law: Dr V K Mohan Rao
More News

Miss World 2025 contestants from 22 nations celebrate Buddha Purnima at Buddhavanam

12 May 2025 | 7:55 PM

Hyderabad, May 12 (UNI) Miss World 2025 contestants from 22 countries across the Asia-Oceania region visited the Buddhavanam Buddhist Heritage Theme Park at Nagarjunasagar on Monday to mark the occasion of Buddha Purnima.

see more..

AP: Every district to have an Endowment Dept building: Minister

12 May 2025 | 7:28 PM

Ongole, May 12 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Minister for Endowment Anam Ramanarayana Reddy assured that a building for the Endowment department would be constructed in every district in the State.

see more..

KTR blames Cong govt for farmer’s death due to heatstroke at procurement centre

12 May 2025 | 7:20 PM

Hyderabad, May 12 (UNI) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. Taraka Rama Rao (KTR) expressed deep sorrow over the death of a farmer, Gugulothu Kishan (51), who reportedly died of heatstroke while waiting at a crop procurement centre in Pochampally village, Pedda Wangara mandal of Mahabubabad district.

see more..

YSRCP slams Naidu headed government for police misuse

12 May 2025 | 7:10 PM

Vijayawada, May 12 (UNI) YSRCP State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy held a meeting at the party’s central office in Tadepalli to address the declining law and order, weakened police system, and misuse of state machinery for political vendetta by the ruling coalition government.

see more..

Karnataka BJP slams Congress over Pakistan map

12 May 2025 | 7:07 PM

Bengaluru, May 12 (UNI) The Karnataka Congress triggered a political storm on Monday over its social media post that allegedly featured a map showing Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan, prompting a swift backlash and accusations of anti-national conduct from the BJP.

see more..