Karnataka SC sub-caste survey on track to meet deadline, says panel head
Justice HN Nagamohan Das, who is heading the committee overseeing the internal reservation process for the Scheduled Castes (SC) in Karnataka, said on Thursday that the ongoing survey is progressing better than expected.He expressed confidence that the entire survey would be completed by the end of the extended deadline.'The progress is more than our expectation. I hope that within the extended time today that we have given, I am confident we will cover 100%,' said Justice Das, who is also tasked with submitting a report to the state government on internal reservations for Dalits.advertisement
The caste census, being carried out to determine the sub-caste distribution within the Scheduled Castes (SC) category, has encountered some difficulties. 'The main challenge is that in some of the Economically and Socially Challenged houses, households are not coming forward to declare their cash details,' Justice Das noted.He also highlighted significant gaps in awareness among respondents, particularly regarding sub-caste identities. 'Some of the people who have taken certificates as Adi Karnataka and Adi Dravida don't know that they're original castes. In the second category, some of them know their original castes, but they are not in the list. Some of them are not willing to disclose though they know their sub caste,' he said.Justice Das emphasised that the method employed for the survey was both innovative and unprecedented in India. 'The Government of India has asked for information about the electronic, online method that we have adopted, and we have given the details. It is for them, but we have done a unique job, which nowhere in the country as of now, to my knowledge, this method is adopted,' he said.advertisementReflecting on the origins of the current process, Justice Das recalled that in his interim report he had recommended a new survey due to inadequate data for a scientific classification. 'In my interim report, I only said that on the basis of available data, it is not possible to make a scientific classification, therefore I recommend it to the Government of Karnataka to conduct a fresh survey. The government accepted my interim report and ordered a fresh survey.'The survey is part of a wider initiative launched by the Karnataka government on May 5, to gather empirical data on SC sub-castes, with the aim of guiding internal reservation policy. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had called it essential for ensuring social justice and equitable distribution of benefits. 'There are 101 sub-castes, including Left, Right, Lamani and others, but no empirical data is available,' he had said, adding that the 2011 census lacked this granularity.The enumeration is being held in three phases: Home visits from 5 to 17 May, special camps from 19 to 21 May, and an online self-declaration option from 19 to 23 May. Over 65,000 schoolteachers have been deployed as enumerators, using a mobile application active daily from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm. One supervisor is assigned for every 10 to 12 enumerators. 'If people miss the home visit, they can declare details at camps or online. Nobody should be left out,' Siddaramaiah had said.advertisementHe had said that the initiative fulfils a Congress manifesto promise and is backed by a Supreme Court ruling of August 1, 2024, that permits states to introduce internal quotas for SCs based on empirical evidence. 'To clarify sub-caste identities and ensure internal reservation, we have formed this one-man committee. The Cabinet will take a decision based on its report,' he had said.
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