Bengaluru, 31 OCT

The ongoing Social and Educational Survey, popularly known as the ‘caste survey’, has so far covered 6.13 crore people across Karnataka, the State Backward Classes Commission said on Friday.

According to the brief summary shared by the Commission, State’s projected population is 6.85 crore, of which 6,13,83,908 people have been surveyed as of 31 October. It said 4,22,258 households refused to participate, while 34,49,681 houses were found vacant or locked during enumeration.

Launched on 22 September, the survey was initially set to end on 7 October, later extended twice, first till 18 October and then till 31 October, to ensure complete coverage.

To enable broader participation, the Commission has now extended the survey online till 10 November, allowing citizens to self-declare details at https://kscbcselfdeclaration.karnataka.gov.in.

Residents who had declined participation or were unavailable when enumerators visited can also register online, it added.

“Since this survey will help the government in formulating policies and welfare schemes, all citizens are requested to participate through self-declaration,” the Commission said in a statement.

People can avail information about the survey through the Commission’s helpline number 80507 70004. 

CM Mulls 1% quota for Nomadic communities

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reaffirmed his government's commitment to ensure social justice for nomadic communities, saying that the proposal for one per cent reservation would be examined.

A delegation of office-bearers from the Nomadic Communities Federation met the Chief Minister at Vidhana Soudha and submitted a memorandum seeking internal reservation. They also sought the creation of a separate corporation for their development and a special economic package.

"The government is committed to ensuring social justice for nomadic communities and will examine how one per cent reservation can be provided to them and take appropriate action," he said. “The government has no intention of merging one caste with another or doing injustice to any community. A solution will be found for this, and justice will be provided."