Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, May 4
In a major setback to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Patna High Court Thursday put on hold a caste-based survey being conducted by the state government.
The Bihar government is conducting the survey compiling the caste, gender, religion, educational and financial status. Though the Centre had turned down the demand, the survey had the support of all the parties in the state.
The first round of caste survey in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21. The second round, which started on April 15, was scheduled to complete by May 15.
Hearing a bunch of petitions, a division bench of Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Madhuresh Prasad directed the government to immediately stop the caste-based survey. The Court directed to ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed. The High Court has granted interim stay on caste survey and fixed July 3 as the next date of hearing.
Court commented Rs 500 crore was withdrawn from contingency fund for caste-based survey, though it was not an unforeseen expenditure item.
Following the order, the general administration department on Thursday evening directed District Magistrates to immediately stop the caste survey work. According to officials, mails were sent to the DMs quoting orders of Chief Justice of Patna High Court earlier in the day.
