Bengaluru, 23 July

The Karnataka government will conduct a new 'Social and Educational survey', popularly known as "caste census", in the State for 15 days, from 22 September to 7 October, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday.

The State Backward Classes Commission is tasked with submitting the report by the end of October, which will shape the State's next budget.

A preliminary meeting on the social and educational survey was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

"The Backward Classes Commission has submitted a proposal to the government to conduct a social and educational survey. Accordingly, a survey of all 7 crore people in the State will be conducted. The main objective of the census is to eliminate caste discrimination," the CM said in a statement.

The survey also aims to gather comprehensive data on the financial status and land ownership.

"This time, the survey should be a model survey in the country," Siddaramaiah said. "The survey report should be submitted by the end of October. Instructions have been given to start preliminary preparations for the survey, including training from now itself".

On 12 June, the State cabinet had decided to conduct a fresh social and educational survey (caste census), effectively binning the one done in 2015 at a cost of about Rs 165 crore.  The decision also follows directives from the top brass of Congress -- President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

Siddaramaiah emphasised that precautions would be taken to avoid any complaints about the survey and ensured that no one is left out of the exercise.

"The Kantharaju Commission had previously conducted the survey manually by preparing 54 questions. This time, more elements will be included in the survey and the survey will be conducted using a mobile app," he said.

Pointing out that human resources, including 1.65 lakh enumerators, are required for the survey work, Siddaramaiah said along with the services of teachers, staff from other departments will also be used for the fresh survey.