Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission is expected to conduct proposed socio-educational and economic survey of communities in the state next month.
Interacting with media representatives at the office of Deputy Commissioner here on Friday, Commission’s Chairman, H. Kantharaj said that the dates for survey would be finalised soon after the completion of on-going winter session of State legislature underway in Belagavi.
“Total population of the state is around 6.20 crore with around 1.25 crore households. We require 1.25 lakh staff including district level officers, trainers, supervisors and grassroots surveyors for the gigantic task. Around 75 percent of deputations have already been made across the state,” he said.
According to him, the survey could be conducted in single phase if the commission gets 100 percent deputations. “Otherwise, it could stretch for 45 days,” he said.
When asked, he said that the Commission would not involve school teachers for the task as per the instructions by the Government.
The State government has allotted Rs. 117 crore for the task and committed to provide more if necessary, he said. “We have so far received Rs. 36 crore and in turn given Rs. 50 lakh for each district for making preparations,” he added.
As per the details he provided, the survey questionnaire would include 55 questions divided under four headings - social, educational, economic and political.
To a question, the Chairman clarified that the Commission would go by the list of 1,399 castes including 102 and 50 castes classified under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and seven religions recognised by the Constitution of India.
“There would be separate columns for those who wish not to be identified with any caste or religion,” he said.
Stressing on the need of a caste census, Mr. Kantharaj asserted that the very purpose of the survey was to know the social, political, economic and educational conditions of each community along with its numerical strength so that the welfare programmes could be better designed. There is no accurate data that could give a better picture regarding the numerical strength of each caste as there is no caste-based census in India after 1931, he added.
“The survey would in no way strengthen the existing caste system in the society. Nor would it widen the gap and disparities between different castes and communities, but would definitely help bridging it,” he justified.
When dragged his attention towards various court rulings on the issue, he said that no court in the country, including the apex court, had objected to caste census.
“The Supreme Court had clearly said that caste census was purely an executive policy and it did not want interfere with it,” he said.
