Cabinet approves caste-based census
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The Union Cabinet has approved the inclusion of caste-based enumeration in the upcoming national census.The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs chaired by PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday.Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the development during Cabinet briefing, stating that the caste data will be collected in a 'transparent and structured manner' as part of the decennial census exercise. He stressed the importance of accuracy and openness in the enumeration process, adding, 'Caste enumerations should be transparent and included in the census for the sake of informed policymaking.'Vaishnaw also took a swipe at opposition parties, particularly the Congress, accusing them of politicizing the demand for caste census without genuine intent to act on it.'Congress and its alliance partners have used caste-based census only as a political tool. Their focus was never on actual data or welfare,' he said.The upcoming census, already delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is now expected to be one of the most comprehensive demographic exercises in India's history.Separately, the Cabinet approved Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for the 2025-26 season at Rs 355 per quintal. This rate will apply from October 1, 2025, and is expected to benefit nearly 5 crore sugarcane farmers across the country.To safeguard farmers whose cane yields lower sugar recovery, the government has also decided that mills where the recovery is below 9.5% will still pay a minimum of ₹329.05 per quintal. 'This move ensures no deduction in payment for low-recovery sugarcane,' Vaishnaw said.The Cabinet also cleared a major infrastructure initiative worth ₹22,864 crore to construct a highway connecting Shillong to Silchar. The project aims to enhance connectivity in the northeastern region, significantly improving travel and trade in Assam and Meghalaya.
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