Patna: The Patna High Court on Friday concluded hearing on a batch of petitions challenging the Bihar government’s caste census and economic survey in the state. A division bench of Chief Justice K V Chandran concluded the hearing on the petitions filed in this case for five consecutive days and reserved the verdict. Even today, Advocate General PK Shahi presented the case before the court on behalf of the state government. He said that this is a survey, whose purpose is to collect data regarding common citizens, which is to be used for their welfare and interests. He told the court that information related to caste is also given at the time of admission or taking jobs in educational institutions. Advocate General Shahi said that castes are part of the society. He said that every religion has different castes. He told the court that no one is being forced to give any mandatory information during this survey. He told the court that the work of caste survey has been completed almost 80 percent. He said such a survey was under the jurisdiction of the state government. He told the court that this survey is not violating anyone’s privacy. Advocate General Shahi said that a lot of information is already in the public domain. Earlier, the High Court had given an interim order and stayed the caste and economic survey being conducted by the state government. The court wanted to know whether it was a legal obligation to conduct caste census and economic survey. The court had also asked whether these rights are under the jurisdiction of the state government or not. Also, knowing whether this will violate privacy. In the earlier hearing, the petitioner’s counsel Abhinav Srivastava told the court that the state government was conducting a new caste and economic survey.Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, advocate Dinu Kumar said that this right to conduct the survey is beyond the jurisdiction of the state government. This is unconstitutional and a violation of the right to equality. Advocate Dinu Kumar also told the court that the state government is conducting caste census and economic survey. He said that this is contrary to the constitutional provisions. He had said that under the provisions, such a survey can be conducted by the central government. It comes under the power of the central government. He had said that the state government is spending five hundred crore rupees for this survey. During today’s hearing, advocate Dinu Kumar, arguing on behalf of the petitioners, told the court that the state government has not said anything regarding the purpose of this caste survey. He said that such a large-scale ethnic survey was conducted. The government said that 80 percent of the survey work has been completed, but its purpose has not been clarified. He said that this survey is being done for the interests and welfare of the people of the state, but how the common citizens will benefit from this survey has not been clarified anywhere by the state government.A decision on the matter is likely to be taken soon. The matter is scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court on July 14, 2023. During the hearing, advocates Dinu Kumar, Ritika Rani, Abhinav Srivastava appeared on behalf of the petitioners and advocate general P K Shahi appeared for the state government.