Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government on June 2 gave approval to a caste-based census, informed Bihar Chief Secretary Amir Subhani.

The government has allocated a budget of Rs 500 crore for the survey. The exercise will be completed by February next year.

“Caste-based survey approved, to be carried out by the state. On the state level, it'll be carried out by the General Administration department and on the district level, DM will be the nodal officer. Both of these will be in charge of panchayat level and block level,” said Bihar Chief Secretary.

“During this, efforts would be made to take survey on economic basis. Rs 500 crores will be given for the survey. An aim to complete it by 2023 has been set,” he added.