Karnataka Caste Census Decade Old, Numbers Need To Be Updated: Congress's Moily To News18
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"After a discussion, within three months, an updated survey can be conducted and the data updated, or else everybody will keep questioning the numbers,' says Veerappa Moily
Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily has questioned the Karnataka government's Socio-Economic and Educational Survey Report 2015, saying the caste census data is a decade old and the numbers may not be accurate.
'The first issue is that the census was conducted 10 years ago. It's too late to implement it, as it was carried out 10 years ago. That is why people feel it is not in accordance with the census data, and there is a demand for a new survey. In the absence of appropriate facts, there is reason for people to object to it," he told News18.
Moily said that an accurate count of the caste and population can only be arrived at by conducting a fresh survey. 'I think after a discussion, within three months, an updated survey can be conducted and the data updated, or else everybody will keep questioning the numbers," Moily pointed out.
Bringing in the caste survey report was a major promise in the Congress's 2023 Karnataka election manifesto—one that party MP Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly emphasised in each state.
Stating that the census survey is an important issue and should not be delayed for too long, Moily added that after the cabinet takes a decision, they must review and update it. He, however, said that he did not feel that the methodology was unscientific, but reiterated that it was necessary to implement it immediately in the best interest of the backward classes.
When asked whether the report was released in haste, Moily said, 'I don't think the report was released in haste, but the problem was that the report was available and it should have been released. Only then will we know the defects."
As the opposition has been demanding that the report be junked and a new one conducted, Moily said that a lot of hard work had gone into gathering the numbers. 'The census report should not be dumped. Dumping it would not be in the interest of the backward classes," he said.
THE CRITICISM
The report has drawn widespread criticism against the Congress government over its accuracy, with many backward communities alleging that their population figures have been misrepresented. Based on data collected by the Kantharaj Commission in 2015, the report has also been described by several quarters as unscientific and outdated.
Leaked portions of the yet-to-be-released report indicated that major caste groups such as the Lingayats and Vokkaligas may have lower population figures than previously believed, sparking discontent within these communities.
THE SOLUTION
On the mismatch of numbers and the allegation that there has been a drop in the numbers of Lingayats and Vokkaligas, Moily said it may be because the population figures were spread over into other categories. 'That can be clarified by the cabinet later and explained. If they are not shown in the different categories and X is the only figure, then they will have to review it—and that can spell trouble," he warned.
'To satisfy everybody, there is a need to update the data," Moily pointed out.
On the breach of the 50 per cent ceiling, Moily said it was not advisable to cross the slab, even if the increase in reservation is justified. 'We must be cautious, as the entire order may be struck down by the courts. Then nobody stands to benefit. If you exceed 50 per cent, unless it is approved by an Act of the state and by Parliament, it may be dangerous," he said.
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As advice to the Siddaramaiah government and the cabinet, the former Karnataka chief minister said caste reservation can be implemented in two layers, 'and it would not be struck down by the court. The cabinet has to be cautious".
A special cabinet meeting held last week ended without a consensus, as several stakeholders called for a fresh survey. The cabinet is expected to revisit the issue on May 2.
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