01-21-2008, 08:39 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Govt orders caste census </b>
Pioneer/com
Akhilesh Suman | New Delhi
After a major controversy last year regarding Muslim headcount in Government services, <b>the Centre has now decided to go for a count of OBC, SC, ST staff in various Central services</b>. The list would also include the number of physically challenged persons in services.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has sent a circular to all ministries and departments to conduct the exercise and send their reports by March 30, 2008 with the cut off period of January 1, 2008.
The survey would cover all employees who have either been recruited on the basis of reservation or by merit and also include IAS and other Group A services. However, the exercise would not include Public Sector Undertakings and autonomous organisations or even quasi-Government institutions.
"The motive is to take stock of the real representation of such categories," a senior official of the Ministry said.
<b>However the timing of the exercise, when the Government is gearing up for the general election, is significant. The deadline of March 30, 2008 also raises eyebrows as it coincides with the last full Budget session of the Congress-led UPA Government.</b>
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Pioneer/com
Akhilesh Suman | New Delhi
After a major controversy last year regarding Muslim headcount in Government services, <b>the Centre has now decided to go for a count of OBC, SC, ST staff in various Central services</b>. The list would also include the number of physically challenged persons in services.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has sent a circular to all ministries and departments to conduct the exercise and send their reports by March 30, 2008 with the cut off period of January 1, 2008.
The survey would cover all employees who have either been recruited on the basis of reservation or by merit and also include IAS and other Group A services. However, the exercise would not include Public Sector Undertakings and autonomous organisations or even quasi-Government institutions.
"The motive is to take stock of the real representation of such categories," a senior official of the Ministry said.
<b>However the timing of the exercise, when the Government is gearing up for the general election, is significant. The deadline of March 30, 2008 also raises eyebrows as it coincides with the last full Budget session of the Congress-led UPA Government.</b>
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