The much-hyped caste survey report of the Bihar government was released on October 2 and a detailed report was tabled in the State Assembly on November 7 along with a proposal for raising reservation cap for Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from 50% to 65%.
The proposal was approved by the State Cabinet the same day and a Bill for raising the quota cap is scheduled to be introduced in the State Legislature on November 9. However, journalists of the State have not been provided copies of the survey report yet. While officials were clueless about providing journalists with a copy, the move comes amid criticism from Opposition parties that the caste survey is “inaccurate”.
Members of both the Houses - State Assembly and Legislative Council were distributed the copy of the report on November 7. Harried journalists rushed to legislators they personally knew for a copy of the report, and while some got lucky, most had to manage with pictures of the report hurriedly clicked on mobile phones. On November 8, several scribes were seen running from pillar to post, at the secretariat, to get the copy of the report but officials were completely clueless.
