Karnataka to undertake caste-wise survey

A caste-wise survey would be conducted in Karnataka to obtain authentic data on social and economic conditions of households belonging to all castes, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah informed the Assembly today.

Intervening during the debate on the 2013-14 budget, he said caste-wise survey was last conducted by the British in 1931 and many changes have taken place since then.

The survey would help the government have authentic data and reports on living conditions and poverty levels of upper and backward castes. Moreover, during hearing of arguments, judges of Supreme Court and High Courts sought data of various castes and their socio-economic conditions.

A decision on the caste-wise survey was taken in 2004-05 when he was the deputy chief minister and he had sanctioned Rs 23 crore for undertaking the exercise then, the Chief Minister said, adding, if the survey is completed, Karnataka would become the first state in the country to have a survey report of all castes after independence.

The Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission had spent some money to conduct the sample survey of families. However, the survey took a backseat following change of the government. Successive governments did not show interest in taking up the survey, he said.

During his budget speech, the Chief Minister had said: "Caste-wise, social and educational survey of all castes will be undertaken through the Permanent Backward Classes Commission".