In a recent move, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar propelled a bill to increase the overall reservation in government jobs and educational institutions from 50% to 65% based on his government’s caste survey. However, a closer look at the numbers reveals a stark contrast between the proclaimed intentions and the actual employment statistics.
Caste Survey Results
The caste survey, released on October 2, disclosed that only 1.5% of Bihar’s population, approximately 20.49 lakh individuals, are employed in government jobs. This revelation poses an unexpected challenge for the Chief Minister, especially considering his commitment to provide 10 lakh government jobs before the 2025 Assembly elections.
Disparities Among Castes
The survey exposes significant disparities among different castes in government employment. While 15.5% of the state’s population falls under the general category, a disproportionately high 31.29% of them are engaged in government jobs. Conversely, the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), constituting 27.12% of the population, have only 1.75% representation in government jobs.
Challenging Numbers
For Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), making up 19.65% and 1.68% of the population, only 1.13% and 1.37%, respectively, hold government jobs. Shockingly, the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), comprising 36.01% of Bihar’s population, have a mere 0.98% representation in government employment.
Government’s Response and Future Plans
Despite these revelations, there is currently no new employment policy in place. Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav expresses confidence in fulfilling the government’s promise, citing ongoing implementation of employment schemes. Nitish Kumar’s past initiatives, including the employment drive initiated in 2007, are also highlighted.
Private and Unorganized Sectors
The caste survey sheds light on employment in the private and unorganized sectors, revealing that 15.9 lakh people (1.21% of the population) are engaged in the private, organized sector, and 27.9 lakh (2.13%) work in the unorganized sector. Self-employment is prevalent, with OBCs and EBCs dominating the numbers.
Expert Opinions and Criticisms
Economist N. K. Choudhary questions the feasibility of creating more government jobs without reducing dependence on agriculture and diversifying job sectors. The BJP argues that Nitish’s promises will burden the state exchequer, urging transparency on fund generation.
As Bihar grapples with the aftermath of the caste survey, Nitish Kumar’s pursuit of increased quotas faces scrutiny, highlighting the need for comprehensive policies addressing the employment landscape beyond government jobs.
The Hindustan Herald Is Your Source For The Latest In Business, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, And LinkedIn To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Don’t Forget To Subscribe Our Telegram Channel @hindustanherald