By IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, 28 July 2015: The central government has asked states and union territories to rectify the remaining 1.45 crore errors in the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC). In fact, 8,19,58,314 errors were found in the Caste returns and had been communicated to the States/UTs for rectification. The States have so far rectified 6,73,81,119 errors. However, 1,45,77,195 errors are yet to be rectified.
The Government reviewed the status of SECC on July 16, 2015. It emerged that 46,73,034 distinct caste names have been returned in the SECC. These include Caste/sub-Caste names, synonyms, surnames, clan/gothra names, phonetic variations, sections, sub-groups etc. These will have to be classified by experts having domain knowledge on these issues.
The data relating to Socio-Economic features of households in rural areas was released by the Ministry of Rural Development on July 3. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, however, did not release any data relating to Urban areas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week announced formation of an Expert Group to classify and categorise the Caste returns under the Chairmanship of Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog. The members of the Expert Group would be finalised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in consultation with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
