A detailed caste backwardness index (CBI) compiled from the Social, Educational, Employment, Economic and Political Caste Survey (SEEEPC) has highlighted sharp disparities across social groups in Telangana. The analysis shows that Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are three times more backward than the General Castes, while Backward Classes (BCs) are 2.7 times more backward.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Animal Husbandry and Sports Minister Vakati Srihari, TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud, Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and others announced that the SEEEPC survey report along with the findings of the Independent Expert Working Group had been available in the public domain from Wednesday night.
Telangana’s Survey of 3.54 crore people: The story so far
According to the survey report, the total BC population in the State stood at 56.36%, followed by SCs (17.42%), STs (10.43%) and Other Castes (15.79%). Interestingly, as many as 14 lakh people (4%) preferred no caste column. The survey covered 1.12 crore families in the State out of the total population of 3.55 crore.
The IEWG, in its key findings, has noted that the State’s weighted average CBI score stands at 81. Of the 242 castes surveyed, 135 fall below this benchmark, accounting for 67% of the population. These include 69 BCs, 41 SCs and 25 STs. In contrast, all 18 castes in the General category, representing 12% of the population, rank well above the State average.
