Bhubaneswar, May 1 -- Bharatiya Janata Party leader Aparajita Sarangi on Thursday termed the 2011 caste census a "haphazard survey" and said that the central government has decided to conduct a caste census, keeping in view the people's needs.

"It is a great step by the PM Modi government. This has been done because Prime Minister Modi has recognised its importance; this government always cares for the needy, poor, and vulnerable, and it is important to know the vulnerability of the caste that is spread across the country. UPA government conducted a caste census in 2011, but it was a haphazard survey," Sarangi told reporters.

She further asked why Congress did not make the census public if it had done so in 2011.

"This one will be a re...