Bihar: Nitish Kumar Utilises Caste Survey To Increase Quota, But Data Unveils Contrasting Reality With Only 1.5 Per Cent In Government Jobs

In response to the recently released caste survey in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has spearheaded a bill to raise the overall reservation in government jobs and educational institutions from 50 per cent to 65 per cent.

However, the survey's findings present an unexpected hurdle for the Chief Minister.

The survey, revealing that only 1.5 per cent of Bihar's population is employed in government jobs, exposes stark disparities among different castes, as reported by Indian Express.

While the general category constitutes 15.5 per cent of the population, 31.29 per cent are engaged in government jobs.

In contrast, the OBCs, comprising 27.12 per cent of the population, have only 1.75 per cent representation in government jobs.

Similarly, SCs and STs, constituting 19.65 per cent and 1.68 per cent of the population respectively, have only 1.13 per cent and 1.37 per cent representation in government jobs.

The EBC, making up 36.01 per cent of the population, has only 0.98 per cent representation in government jobs.

Despite these findings, there is no indication of a new employment policy, as Nitish Kumar had previously pledged to provide 10 lakh government jobs before the 2025 assembly elections.

Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav remains confident in the government's promise, citing ongoing implementation of employment schemes.

Nitish Kumar's government, in power since 2000, claims to have provided over eight lakh jobs in the last 16 years.

The survey also highlights employment in the private sector, with 15.9 lakh people (1.21 per cent of the population) in the organised sector and 27.9 lakh (2.13 per cent) in the unorganised sector.

Self-employment, dominated by OBCs and EBCs, accounts for 3.05 per cent of the population.

Economist N K Choudhary suggests that creating more government jobs may be politically motivated, emphasising the need to reduce dependence on agriculture.

The BJP raises concerns about the state's finances, warning that recent promises could burden the exchequer.