Karnataka Government to Conduct Caste Census to Address Inequality

The Karnataka government, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will conduct a caste census commencing on September 22 and concluding on October 7. The primary goal of the survey is to mitigate caste-based inequalities within the state. The report, slated for submission to the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission by the end of October, will be used to shape the state’s future budget. The census will cover approximately seven crore citizens, focusing on social, educational, economic, and land ownership aspects. Officials are preparing for the census, including training programs, aiming for a comprehensive and transparent process. The decision for the new survey came after the 2015 survey was declared invalid. The current survey is being undertaken under the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission Act, 1995. The new survey will employ a mobile app for greater efficiency. The survey is intended to be comprehensive, and it will take notes from a similar survey in Telangana. The questionnaires will be finalized by an expert committee. Over 1.65 lakh enumerators will participate in the census, including teachers and employees from government departments.