New Delhi [India], May 1 (ANI): Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision on the Caste Census.

'The decision of the Cabinet is 'historic', and in the coming time, caste enumeration would be there in the census, which hasn't been done for a long time since independence. Congress was in power for so long, but they were never in favour of this... A few state governments have tried this. I thank PM Modi for this decision as it will pave a new way for social justice in the country...', Pradhan said.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated at a media briefing following the cabinet meeting that the decision demonstrates the present government's commitment to the holistic interests and values of the nation and society.

According to Article 246 of the Constitution of India, the Census is a Union subject listed at item 69 in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule.

'While some states have conducted surveys to enumerate castes, these surveys have varied in transparency and intent, with some conducted purely from a political angle, creating doubts in society.

Considering all these circumstances, and to ensure that our social fabric does not come under political pressure, it has been decided that caste enumeration should be included in the main census instead of being conducted as a separate survey,' Vaishnaw said.

'This will ensure that society becomes stronger economically and socially, and the country's progress continues without hindrance. When a provision of 10 per cent reservation was made for the economically weaker sections of society, it did not create tension in any section of society,' he added.

The Union Minister stated that caste has been excluded from all census operations conducted since India's independence. (ANI)