Why does the Union assert that only the Centre can conduct the census

The Union asserts that only the Centre can conduct the census for the following reasons:

• Constitutional authority: The Constitution of India grants the power to conduct the census exclusively to the Union government. Article 246 empowers Parliament to make laws on any matter in the Union List, including the census.
• National significance: Conducting the census is crucial for planning and policymaking at the national level. The Union government believes that a unified approach ensures uniform data collection, comparability, and accuracy across the country.
• Data integrity and objectivity: The Union government argues that it has the necessary infrastructure and expertise to maintain data integrity and ensure the census is conducted objectively, free from potential biases or manipulation.
• Securing confidential information: The Union government emphasizes that it can safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of citizens' data through robust data protection measures.

In the Bihar caste survey case, the Union's position is that conducting a separate caste-based survey is unnecessary and goes against the principles of the census. The Union argues that the census should provide comprehensive demographic information without focusing on specific caste-based data, as it may promote divisive tendencies and dilute the concept of a unified nation. Thus, the Union asserts its authority to maintain the integrity and purpose of the census.