PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Sunday urged the Centre to release the caste data collected as part of the Socio Economic Caste Census-2011, arguing that the detail was necessary to ascertain the socio-economic conditions of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and to chalk out ways to improve their status.
Explaining a resolution adopted at a special executive committee meeting held at Thailapuram, Dr Ramadoss said withholding the information would defeat the very purpose of the census.
“As the socio-economic condition of the people in the rural areas is in bad shape, it could be ameliorated only through affirmative action like reservation. History clearly tells that proportionate reservation depending on the strength of every community alone will do justice,” he said.
Alleging that the neo-liberal economic policies of the Centre had resulted in skewed development, he made a strong case for adopting a new economic policy that would promote inclusive growth.
“The census shows that the rural people without any land and education continue to languish in poverty while only the rich are able to reap the benefits of the government’s economic policy,” he said.
‘Convene Assembly’
Dr. Ramadoss also urged the State government to convene an Assembly session to present demands for grants for various departments so that fund for various schemes could be allotted.
“The Assembly was adjourned on April 18 without presenting demands for grants. Even after Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s election from the R.K. Nagar constituency there is no sign for convening the session,” he said.
