Patna, July 3: Ill-placed on the education front, households in Bihar have the fewest number of refrigerators in the country.
The facts have come to light following announcement of the results of the Socio Economic and Caste Census-2011. The results of the survey conducted by the Union rural development ministry were released today though the Centre refrained from releasing the caste-based data.
Bihar is the third most illiterate state with 43.85 per cent population falling in that category. The figures cast a shadow on the effectiveness of the initiatives of chief minister Nitish Kumar in promoting education in rural areas.
But Nitish can take solace from Vasundhara Raje-ruled Rajasthan, which leads the pack of illiterate states with 47.58 per cent of its population falling in that category, followed by another NDA-ruled state Madhya Pradesh with 44.19 per cent of its people in rural areas being illiterate.
Bihar lacked in the possession of white goods are concerned as well. Only 11.04 per cent rural households own refrigerators in the state.
The state ranked third in the number of households belonging to "others" (not Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes). As high as 81.19 per cent houses belong to "others" in the state. Kerala with 86.16 per cent leads the pack, followed by Daman and Diu (81.27 per cent).
Bihar stood divided on the utility of caste census, though.
"At a time when inter-caste marriages are taking place and people are changing their surnames, I do not think that people are going to associate themselves with the caste census. It would not have any impact on the progress of society and things would go on as usual. What is the importance of a caste census when people talk about not discriminating on the basis of caste," Jha asked.
Others, however, feel the caste census is going to have a big impact in the state, as elections are round the corner. Retired Patna University economics teacher N.K. Choudhary said: "The census would have a huge impact on the state and it strengthen casteism in Bihar. Politicians in Bihar are going to use the census for their own interests. As far as its positive point is concerned, I can say that it would help policy makers design better policies."
It is a fact Bihar is a caste-driven society where caste plays a pivotal role for both politicians and the people, who almost always vote along caste lines. The leaders in Bihar are equally divided on caste lines.
Jagannath Mishra, former chief minister and former chairman of the LN Mishra Institute of Economic Development and Social Change, believes the caste census would have a negative impact not only on Bihar but other caste-driven states like Uttar Pradesh.
"Casteism is more harmful then communalism. The census report is going to have a bad impact on society," Mishra said.
Senior JDU leader and water resources minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary echoed the same. He said: "It all depends on the authenticity of the data. If the figures of the caste census differ from the traditional consensus then it is going to create ripples in society and would become a matter of debate. "
On the other hand, AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies director D.M. Diwakar felt it would strengthen society.
