HYDERABAD, February 2: MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha has called upon the central government to clarify the postponement of the national census.

In a social media post on Sunday, she questioned, “When will the census be conducted?” Kavitha criticised the Centre for deliberately neglecting the census, stating that without population data, achieving progress is challenging. She emphasised that the absence of such data hinders growth and queried how the nation’s social and economic conditions can be assessed without it. “For progressive policies, population statistics are essential,” she remarked, urging the central government to make a formal announcement regarding the census.

In the recent Union Budget 2025, a nominal allocation of ₹574.80 crore was made for census operations, similar to the ₹572 crore proposed in the 2024-25 budget. This minimal allocation suggests a further delay in conducting the census, which was originally scheduled for 2020-21 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, Kavitha expressed dissatisfaction with the budget’s provisions for Telangana. She criticised the BJP-led central government for announcing a Turmeric Board in the state without allocating any funds for it. While funds were designated for Spices, Tea, Coffee, and Rubber Boards, the Turmeric Board received no financial support.

Kavitha accused the government of deceiving turmeric farmers in Nizamabad and questioned how the board could function without funding. She concluded by stating that the budget has been unjust to Telangana and that the state’s Congress government has once again demonstrated its incompetence.