Ranchi: State Congress unit on Saturday demanded a separate code and proper identification of other backward classes (OBCs) in the ongoing Census exercise, claiming the absence of a dedicated category could hamper an accurate assessment of the community’s population and socio-economic status.The party also announced that its OBC wing would march to Lok Bhavan on Sept 16 and submit a memorandum to the governor.Addressing reporters, state Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh said the first phase of the Census, involving house listing, had been completed and that individual enumeration was due to begin next.He said caste-wise data on OBCs was crucial for Jharkhand, where backward classes account for a significant share of the population but continue to face difficulties in securing benefits proportionate to their numbers.Kamlesh said OBCs were entitled to 27% reservation under the Mandal Commission recommendations, but alleged that the community was not receiving its due share in the state. He also raised concern over the absence of OBC reservation in seven districts, calling it an issue of social justice.Congress legislature party leader Pradeep Yadav claimed the Census format did not include a separate OBC column or a pre-defined list of castes, relying instead on self-declaration through an open field. He said this could create complications in identifying castes and ensuring accurate data.The party demanded a separate OBC code, on the lines of those for SCs and STs, and a list of state-recognised backward castes for enumeration.
