Caste census: Siddaramaiah cheers, but Centre's move may impact fate of Karnataka's survey
Bengaluru: The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government will seek political validation of its Social & Educational Survey in the Centre's decision to enumerate castes in the Census, but the federal move threatens the viability of the 2015 exercise, whose findings are now 10 years old.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah quickly welcomed the Centre's decision.'In Karnataka, we did not just conduct a caste census — we also gathered data on the social, economic and educational status of communities,' Siddaramaiah said in a statement. 'Based on this data, we have taken steps to revise and expand the current reservation policy. I hope the Union government will now follow through with this process as well.'.Explained | What is a Caste Census? Its history, politics, and significance today.Siddaramaiah said his government has already taken steps to breach the 50% reservation ceiling based on the 2015 survey's findings.The Centre's decision, however, may revive pressure on Siddaramaiah to junk the 2015 survey's findings. The survey report is awaiting a Cabinet decision. Several communities, including the 'dominant' Lingayats and Vokkaligas, have opposed the 2015 survey findings. They contend that their numbers have been 'undercounted'.'We are sure to face the argument that the numbers are now 10 years old, and that we should go with the caste-wise numbers in the census,' a person close to Siddaramaiah in the government said.Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda told DH that the government does expect a debate on the impact the Centre's decision would have on the Social & Educational Survey. 'But the Centre hasn't said when the census would happen. Since (enumerating castes) is a novel exercise for many states, it could end up prolonging the date of the census,' he said..Modi govt's caste survey announcement in already delayed population census gives no timeline.The Cabinet is slated to meet on May 9. However, there is no clarity on whether or not the survey will come up for discussion. 'It (caste census) was to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on May 2, which isn't happening. The Cabinet meeting on May 9 is a regular one,' Home Minister G Parameshwara said.Siddaramaiah held an informal discussion on Tuesday with his confidants on the caste census. 'It was informally suggested that the 2015 data should be put up for verification at the gram panchayat-level so that corrections can be made,' a source said.While all eyes are on his government, Siddaramaiah would look to make the most of the Centre's decision. 'For years, the BJP and its governments attacked the idea of a caste census, calling it divisive and a threat to Hindu unity,' he said. 'That they now recognise its social importance is a welcome shift.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
18 minutes ago
- India Today
Census delay a sinister move to weaken southern states: MK Stalin slams Centre
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has alleged that the delay in conducting the National Census and the upcoming delimitation exercise are part of a calculated move by the Union Government to undermine the political representation of southern states. "The Census delay is no accident. The delimitation plan is not a coincidence," says the delay in the Census a 'sinister design,' Stalin warned that states like Tamil Nadu, which followed population control policies, would now be penalised for their progress. 'The 2027 Census will form the basis for the next delimitation, replacing the 1971 data. This gives the Union BJP Government the means to restructure Parliamentary representation to its advantage, at the cost of the Southern States,' he questioned the credibility of the Union Government's assurances, saying, 'The Ministry of Home Affairs claims that the concerns of affected States will be addressed. But these are vague remarks. What is needed is a clear Parliamentary commitment and a suitable constitutional amendment.' Drawing parallels with the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister remarked, 'While the Union Government spoke of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Article 370 was abrogated. Elections were held. Assurances were given in the Supreme Court. Yet, Jammu and Kashmir remains a Union Territory. This is the track record of the BJP we are dealing with.'Warning of the potential consequences of the proposed delimitation, Stalin said, 'If the Union Government proceeds with the delimitation based on the 2027 Census, the democratic power of peninsular India will be reduced to irrelevance. The danger I warned of is at our doorstep.'Taking a swipe at the opposition AIADMK and its leader, Edappadi K Palaniswami, Stalin said, 'Even if betrayers like the AIADMK choose to kneel before the BJP for their political survival, the people of Tamil Nadu led by the DMK will never allow our state to be punished for its progress.'Must Watch IN THIS STORY#Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump signs orders intended to jolt US drone manufacturing
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads President Donald Trump signed executive orders on Friday aimed at bolstering the US drone industry, cracking down on unauthorized flights and countering threats to national security and public orders sought to expand opportunities for commercial and recreational drone use, and tighten restrictions to address security threats. American officials have been concerned about foreign adversaries using drones to spy on sensitive areas, including military installations, and about China's dominance of the drone market, which they see as a national security threat."Building a strong and secure domestic drone sector is vital to reducing reliance on foreign sources, strengthening critical supply chains and ensuring that the benefits of this technology are delivered to the American people," one of the orders drone orders were part of a broader federal push into airborne technology. A third order he signed Friday sought to revive high-speed commercial air travel, by repealing regulations prohibiting cross-country supersonic flights, which for decades have precluded nonmilitary air travel over land at faster-than-sound and Republican administrations, as well as Congress, have grappled in recent years with the risks posed by China's role in drone manufacturing. The United States has struggled to develop alternatives at a scale necessary to wean drone operators, including the US military, completely off Chinese the same time, the growing popularity of commercial and recreational drones, and an increase in incidents of drones flying over sensitive sites, have heightened demand for Trump administration warned that drones have been used to smuggle drugs across borders, and that they could pose threats to large public gatherings, such as the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, both of which are being held in the United of Trump's executive orders directed the Federal Aviation Administration to allow commercial users and public safety officials to fly drones beyond their range of sight. Under current rules, a user must be able to see the drone they are also backed a program to test aircraft that make vertical takeoffs and landings, which have the potential to improve cargo transport, medical responses and access to rural order also directed the commerce secretary to promote exports of US-made drones, and instructed federal agencies to prioritize purchases of executive order directed the FAA to develop processes to restrict the airspace over critical infrastructure, military installations, large airports, federal facilities and national also called on the attorney general and the FAA to more robustly enforce civil and criminal penalties for drone operators who violate laws or airspace restrictions. And it promoted grants for state and local law enforcement agencies to access drone-detection and tracking representatives said that the orders were an important investment in the US drone Ellman, CEO of the Commercial Drone Alliance, said in a statement that they were "long-overdue steps."The orders were Trump's most comprehensive attempt yet to boost the US drone his first term, he signed directives that sought to increase the use of drones. Days before he departed the White House, he instructed federal agencies to determine whether they could reduce the procurement of drones manufactured by foreign has taken steps to single out drone manufacturers for scrutiny and potential restrictions in the United States. In last year's defense bill, an annual measure that authorizes policies and funding for the Pentagon and military, lawmakers directed national security agencies to determine whether equipment produced by DJI or Autel, both Chinese companies that manufacture drones, posed a risk to the United States.A provision of the legislation said that if no determination was made within a year, the equipment would be added to the Federal Communications Commission's list of devices that cannot be sold in the United is not clear how many Chinese-manufactured drones exist in the United States, though they are estimated to be a majority of those in use. In the spring, there were over 1 million registered drones in the United States, according to the FAA, over 400,000 of which were commercial drones and over 350,000 of which were for recreational FAA requires the registration of all drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds. The FAA also restricts how high drones can be flown without authorization, to less than 400 feet, unless they are within a certain radius of tall structures. In restricted airspace, drone use is limited even Rocheleau, the acting FAA administrator, told House lawmakers this week that it was not possible for the FAA to know exactly how many drones were in the sky, given the limits of registration requirements."We do in fact work with legal operators, and we would be able to collect that," he told the Appropriations Committee, adding: "A child with a drone would be more challenging."
Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Siddaramaiah sacks political secretary over Bengaluru stampede: Who is K Govindaraju?
With the Congress government in Karnataka facing the heat following the stampede in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sacked his political secretary K Govindaraju on Friday. The close aide of the CM became the first Cabinet-rank official to be sacked in the aftermath of the stampede that occurred outside the Chinnaswamy stadium during the IPL victory celebrations of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, leaving 11 people dead. Govindaraju, currently an MLC, conceived the idea of a victory parade and celebration at the Vidhana Soudha, the state legislature, despite the Bengaluru City Police denying permission for the event, according to multiple sources in the government and the police. 'He reportedly liaised between the state government, KSCA (Karnataka State Cricket Association) and RCB even though the police denied permission,' a source said, adding that the police, at a certain point, were kept in the dark about the communications happening between the KSCA and the state government. Sources in the Congress alleged that Govindaraju pushed the idea of a large-scale celebration as he aspired to contest the KSCA polls. Labelled the de facto 'sports minister' by a section of state Congress leaders, Govindaraju is viewed as a 'troubleshooter who operates behind the scenes'. In the last two decades, he has always occupied important positions whenever the Congress is at the helm of affairs. He has been president of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia, the Basketball Federation of India, and the Karnataka Olympic Association. Govindaraju has denied all the allegations and told the media on Friday that he was not involved with the RCB and 'never contacted by the KSCA'. Claiming that he was disturbed by the sequence of events, he told The Indian Express, 'It has happened over a minor issue and nothing big. I will speak to you next week.' Hailing from a family of bureaucrats from Kolar, sources said Govindaraju had access to the corridors of power as his elder brother is an IAS officer promoted from the state services. A senior Congress leader credited Govindaraju's 'entreprising behaviour and never-say-no attitude' for his rise in the echelons of power. 'He first came into contact with state Minister K J George and then with (former CM) S M Krishna. He is seen as a man who caters to the needs of powerful politicians,' a leader said. Govindaraju also had a stint in electoral politics when he made his Assembly poll debut from the Shivajinagar seat in 1999. But he lost the election. He continued to remain a part of the state power circles and was elected MLC in 2012. He also served as Siddaramaiah's parliamentary secretary between 2015 and 2018. Seen in Congress circles as the party's 'fundraiser', Govindaraju found himself in the centre of a controversy in 2017 after Income Tax officials recovered a diary from him with details of payments worth Rs 600 crore allegedly made to senior Congress leaders.
