Patna,(BiharTimes): The disadvantaged among the upper caste population need special attention while implementing various welfare programmes of the government.According to a recent study of economic and educational status of upper caste population in Bihar done by the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) “Any welfare measure taken to help the general population will also go a long way toward improving the conditions of the disadvantaged sections among the upper caste population. However, the state government also needs to undertake some specific steps to help the upper caste population."

The upper castes target group consisted of Brahmin, Bhumihar, Rajput and Kayasth (among the Hindus), and Sheikh, Syed and Pathan (among the Muslims). They form about 20 per cent of the state population.

The study, sponsored by the state commission for the upper castes, said that the state government should fix an income criterion to identify the disadvantaged population belonging to upper castes for operational purposes. The per capita income of the general population in Bihar at current prices is Rs 33,954.

The 92-page report was intended to provide the commission sufficient inputs to make well-authenticated and appropriate recommendations.All these welfare programmes should be redefined to include the disadvantaged among the upper caste population.

Bihar government had set up the commission for upper castes (Savarn Ayog) in February 2011, with D K Trivedi, a retired judge of Allahabad high court, as its chairman and four other members.

The survey was conducted in five towns: Patna for its strategic importance; Bhagalpur, Darbhanga and Gaya for being relatively larger urban centres, and Purnia for being located in the Muslims concentrated north-east Bihar.