NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that his government will undertake a socio-economic survey of all castes and communities in the state. Nitish Kumar made the announcement at a press conference after the all-party meeting. Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav was also present at the press conference.

Earlier, the Centre had opposed the Bihar government’s demand for a caste census at the national level. No caste-based census has been conducted in the country since 1931. Though Nitish Kumar had raised the issue in an earlier meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre relucted to conduct the caste census.

Speaking at the press conference, Tejashwi Yadav said that the state government will be undertaking a survey on all castes and communities in the state and not a census. The bill will be tabled in the next cabinet meeting. Yadav added the process would begin by November.