New Delhi: The YSR Congress on Monday demanded a nationwide caste-based economic census at an all-party meet convened by the government ahead of the Budget session of Parliament. It is necessary to know the economic status of the backward castes who are "lagging behind" on social and development indicators, the party said.
YSR Congress leader Vijaysai Reddy said backward castes are over 50 per cent of the total population and the census will help find their economic status. The ruling party in Andhra Pradesh has joined the likes of the JD(U) and the RJD, both of which have demanded a caste census. The grand alliance government in Bihar has rolled out a state-wide caste census.
Reddy said his party also demanded the women quota bill for ensuring reservation for them in Parliament. Parties including the TRS, TMC, and the BJD also supported the demand. The meeting was held at the Parliament Annexe Building in the national capital. The meeting was called by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.
The Budget Session, which is heavy with the government's financial agenda, will be held in two parts. It will begin with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. Economic Survey will be tabled after the President's address. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on February 1.
The Union Budget 2023-24 may be the last full budget before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The first part of the session will be held from January 31 and will go on till February 13. It will see the debate in both Houses on the 'Motion of Thanks' to the President's address which will conclude with a reply of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Parliament will reconvene after a recess for parliamentary committees to discuss the demand for grants of various ministries.The second part will begin on March 13 and will continue till April 6. (With Agency inputs)
