The deadlock over the Socio-Economic-cum-Caste Census (SECC), 2011 seems to be broken as Union Rural Development Minister, Jairam Ramesh, on Friday accepted the demand of an independent BPL commission. He also agreed that there should not be any 'pre-determined ceiling' on BPL numbers in this census.
Ramesh on Friday met with Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar to break the ice on this issue. "Well, we discussed a lot of things. Yes, we also had a session on BPL census. I agree with the CM over the setting up of an independent BPL Commission. Moreover, I too think that there should not be a pre-determined ceiling on the number of people living below the poverty line," said Ramesh after a marathon five hour meeting. He added, "However, there is a need of discussion on this issue."
Ramesh's move comes in the backdrop of outspoken criticism of SECC, 2011 by Bihar and other state governments including Uttar Pradesh. Nitish recently wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention to “roll back” the Centre’s decision to use a “pre-determined ceiling” on BPL numbers under the SECC. Claiming that some state governments “may want to inflate” BPL numbers to “attract more Central grants”, Nitish reminded the PM that the state government had suggested that the Centre set up of an independent BPL Commission along the lines of the Election Commission to ensure the BPL survey is “not subject to the pulls and pressures of day to day administration”.
If this step of Ramesh breaks the deadlock, then it will be a big achievement for the newly appointed Union Rural Development Minister. The central government wants to complete the survey and prepare a nationwide BPL list before the onset of 12th plan.
