Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said the quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) could rise after the 2021 Census.

Kumar said this at Bagaha in West Champaran district, where he was attending a function organised by the members of the "Tharu" tribe.

"After the 2021 Census, the quota for SCs and STs may be hiked, in keeping with the rise in their population. This would provide greater opportunities to these groups," the JD(U) chief said.

While Kumar's remark drew praise from the leaders of his party and was backed by the JD-U's coalition partner BJP, the opposition RJD-Congress combine dismissed it as a political gimmick and challenged the chief minister to speak out in favour of making the data of the caste-based census public.

"During my tours of the state, I often face people from the depressed classes, who say that the existing quota is not sufficient. I can only say that a hike in it is not in the state government's hands, though the next census may pave the way for the same," Kumar said.

Reacting to the chief minister's statement, RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari alleged that Kumar was "playing a trick" to win back the Dalits, whom he had "angered by siding with the BJP".

"If he (Kumar) is really serious about the SCs and STs, why does he not put pressure on the BJP, which is his ally and also in power at the Centre, to make public the report of the caste-based census, a demand that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad has been raising for long," he said.

Dismissing the opposition's criticisms, JD(U) spokesman and MLC Neeraj Kumar said, "The opposition is frustrated over its inability to woo the Dalits, who stand strongly behind Nitish Kumar. The number of schemes our government has been running for the SCs and STs does not have a parallel."

While Kumar's remark drew praise from the leaders of his party and was backed by the JD-U's coalition partner BJP, the opposition RJD-Congress combine dismissed it

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said the quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) could rise after the 2021 Census. Kumar said this at Bagaha in West Champaran district, where he was attending a function organised by the members of the "Tharu" tribe. "After the 2021 Census, the quota for SCs and STs may be hiked, in keeping with the rise in their population. This would provide greater opportunities to these groups," the JD(U) chief said. While Kumar's remark drew praise from the leaders of his party and was backed by the JD-U's coalition partner BJP, the opposition RJD-Congress combine dismissed it as a political gimmick and challenged the chief minister to speak out in favour of making the data of the caste-based census public. "During my tours of the state, I often face people from the depressed classes, who say that the existing quota is not sufficient. I can only say that a hike in it is not in the state government's hands, though the next census may pave the way for the same," Kumar said. Reacting to the chief minister's statement, RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari alleged that Kumar was "playing a trick" to win back the Dalits, whom he had "angered by siding with the BJP". "If he (Kumar) is really serious about the SCs and STs, why does he not put pressure on the BJP, which is his ally and also in power at the Centre, to make public the report of the caste-based census, a demand that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad has been raising for long," he said. Dismissing the opposition's criticisms, JD(U) spokesman and MLC Neeraj Kumar said, "The opposition is frustrated over its inability to woo the Dalits, who stand strongly behind Nitish Kumar. The number of schemes our government has been running for the SCs and STs does not have a parallel."

Quota for SCs, STs may increase after 2021 Census: Nitish Kumar

The Indian cricket board has sent a security officer to England amid concerns over team safety in the Champions Trophy following the Manchester bomb attack.

Acting president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) CK Khanna confirmed to AFP that Neeraj Kumar, security in charge and consultant of its anti-corruption unit, left for England on Tuesday.

&quot;Neeraj Kumarji was anyhow supposed to travel with the team but had to go early after the attack,&quot; a senior BCCI official told AFP. &quot;He will definitely go to the venues where India is scheduled to play and assess the security,&quot; the official added.

Kumar, a former Delhi Police Commissioner, was the head of security when the ICC World T20 Championship was hosted by India last year.

A suicide bomb attack rocked Manchester on Monday, killing 22 people at the end of a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena.

All teams are now wary ahead of the 50-over tournament that begins June 1. Holders India start their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Birmingham on June 4.

The BCCI are in touch with the International Cricket Council regarding security in England as Virat Kohli and his side leave for the eight-team event late Wednesday.

&quot;We sent out a message (to ICC) raising our concerns about security of the Indian team&#39;s travel, accommodation and the playing (area),&quot; BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary told reporters.

Chaudhary said the ICC &quot;responded to it within two hours. They have been sensitised about our concern&quot;.

The ICC released a statement Tuesday regarding security measures taken with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

&quot;The security situation has been very much front and centre of our preparations and we constantly review our procedures to guarantee they are as effective as possible to keep everyone safe,&quot; said an ICC statement.

(AFP)

Neeraj Kumar, a former Delhi Police Commissioner who did security when India hosted the T20 last year, will accompany India's cricket team

The Indian cricket board has sent a security officer to England amid concerns over team safety in the Champions Trophy following the Manchester bomb attack. Acting president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) CK Khanna confirmed to AFP that Neeraj Kumar, security in charge and consultant of its anti-corruption unit, left for England on Tuesday. "Neeraj Kumarji was anyhow supposed to travel with the team but had to go early after the attack," a senior BCCI official told AFP. "He will definitely go to the venues where India is scheduled to play and assess the security," the official added. Kumar, a former Delhi Police Commissioner, was the head of security when the ICC World T20 Championship was hosted by India last year. A suicide bomb attack rocked Manchester on Monday, killing 22 people at the end of a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena. All teams are now wary ahead of the 50-over tournament that begins June 1. Holders India start their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Birmingham on June 4. The BCCI are in touch with the International Cricket Council regarding security in England as Virat Kohli and his side leave for the eight-team event late Wednesday. "We sent out a message (to ICC) raising our concerns about security of the Indian team's travel, accommodation and the playing (area)," BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary told reporters. Chaudhary said the ICC "responded to it within two hours. They have been sensitised about our concern". The ICC released a statement Tuesday regarding security measures taken with the England and Wales Cricket Board. "The security situation has been very much front and centre of our preparations and we constantly review our procedures to guarantee they are as effective as possible to keep everyone safe," said an ICC statement. (AFP)

Cricket: BCCI raises concerns after Manchester attack

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Quota for SCs, STs may increase after 2021 Census: Nitish Kumar

Cricket: BCCI raises concerns after Manchester attack