Caste Survey for Social Justice: CM

The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday formally announced the decision to carry out a fresh caste-based socio-educational survey across the state within a 90-day timeline, scrapping the earlier 2015 exercise and its subsequent 2024 report.

- Arun Dev

BENGALURU:

Chief minister Siddaramaiah announced the move after a special cabinet meeting in Bengaluru.

"We have taken a unanimous decision that a new survey is to be conducted," he said.

The government will consult the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission (KSBCC), which will oversee the survey and submit its report within the stipulated time.

Siddaramaiah said, "The government will consult the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission. We are going to give 90 days' time to survey afresh and to give the report."

The CM said the decision was in line with Section 11(1) of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1995, which mandates a new survey every 10 years. "After considering all aspects and the law, as it has been 10 years since the Socio-Educational survey was conducted by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, the cabinet has decided to go for a new survey; and as per Section 11(2) of the Act, it has been decided to consult the commission in this regard."

The Congress high command, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, directed the state earlier this week to initiate a fresh enumeration, citing concerns of underrepresentation of communities in the earlier exercise. Asked whether the move was made under pressure, Siddaramaiah responded, "Just because they asked us to do a new survey, we are not doing it. We have not succumbed to pressure from the high command."

Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, also present at the post-cabinet press briefing, echoed this sentiment, stating, "We don't want political colour. We want social justice. For this reason, we have decided to conduct a caste census again. The opposition parties, who criticised the previous report, are now talking the opposite way."