The decision to put off the start of the Social and Educational Survey till December 10 — from the earlier schedule of November 1 — was taken following suggestions by the former chairpersons of the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission to tweak the questionnaire.
“For instance, a suggestion was that we should add a question on whether they have availed themselves of the benefit of reservation,” said H. Kantharaj, chairperson of the commission. He added that it would also give more time for the commission to thoroughly train the enumerators.
Teachers will not be roped in this time for enumeration because it is in the middle of the academic year and RTE prevents pulling teachers out of school. Instead, field staff in government departments, retired teachers and government servants and unemployed graduates will be enlisted.
There has not been any caste-based survey in the State since 1931 by the British authorities. First proposed in 2005 in Karnataka, the exercise has seen many postponements. The census is seen as an important exercise to provide a scientific basis to determine backwardness and providing reservation.
