Latest news with #KJayaprakashHegde
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Fresh caste census to kick off on Sept 22, final report by Oct-end
1 2 Bengaluru: Karnataka will launch a fresh, comprehensive door-to-door socio-educational survey — popularly known as the caste census — from Sept 22 to Oct 7, covering the state's population of an estimated seven crore. The massive exercise will involve 1.6 lakh govt employees, including teachers and officials from several departments. The move comes months after the state cabinet decided to shelve the previous caste survey report submitted in Feb 2024 due to widespread discontent over alleged under-reported population figures of politically dominant communities like Lingayats and Vokkaligas. That report, initially prepared by the Kantharaj Commission in 2015 and later modified by a panel headed by K Jayaprakash Hegde, was deemed outdated. Chief minister Siddaramaiah Wednesday met with officials from Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (BC Commission) and backward classes welfare department to finalise broad parameters. He said the enumeration must be completed by Oct, setting the stage for a fresh report before Nov. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "We will carry out the survey expeditiously; we intend to submit the report by Nov," said Madhusudan R Naik, chairman, BC Commission. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 7 All-Inclusive Destinations That Accept Credit Card Rewards Liseer Learn More Undo "Preliminary work is underway, and we will begin preparatory exercises such as training surveyors once we prepare a roadmap and schedule." The new survey will include additional indicators such as economic status, political representation, landholding, and employment beyond the 54-question format used previously. "Addressing discrimination of castes is the main focus of the survey," Siddaramaiah said after the meeting. "It should be a model for the country. The next budget will be based on this survey." He said the exercise would be tech-driven this time with a mobile app being used for enumeration instead of manual formats. "The previous survey had 54 questions for respondents. We will have more questions this time. A technical committee will be set up to finalise the questions. The survey should be scientific and transparent," Siddaramaiah said. He also directed officials to set up a high-power committee to oversee operations in Bengaluru, where an earlier survey had lagged due to non-cooperation from people and staff shortages. Since teachers will be involved, the enumeration is scheduled during Dasara holidays to avoid disruption to schools. "Survey work should be transparent, and efforts should be made to ensure that no one is excluded," the CM said, urging officials to take precautions to avoid complaints. He also urged them to study the Telangana model of the 2024 SEEPC survey. GFX At a glance Dates: Sept 22 – Oct 7 (15 days) Population: 7 crore Enumerators: 1.6 lakh (including teachers) Method: App-based survey Data points: Caste, income, land, jobs, representation Report Deadline: By Oct-end (for 2026 Budget)
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Socio-economic survey with caste details is largely accurate: Jayaprakash Hegde
Chikkamagaluru: Former chairman of the Karnataka State Permanent Backward Classes Commission , K Jayaprakash Hegde , claimed that it was not a caste census but a socio-economic and educational survey, which also included caste statistics. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Congress leader, asserting that the survey is largely accurate, appealed to the opposition parties not to create confusion over the survey. "The Muslim community comes under the minority list when compared with Hindus, which includes Vokkaligas and Lingayats," he said, while addressing a gathering of Sarakarada Nade Karyakartara Kade, a state govt event, in Mudigere on Tuesday. The survey is not a caste census, but the details of the caste were mentioned to obtain empirical data. The Supreme Court directed the collection of empirical data as it is necessary to provide reservation , Hegde, who was a member of BJP before he switched over to Congress, said. Hegde said the state's population would be 18 to 20 crore if the claims of all the communities were taken into consideration. As per the 2015 census, the population was approximately 6.35 crore, and the survey recorded the details of 5.95 crore individuals. Nearly five crore people come under Hindus, and the remaining population are Muslims, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, and thus minorities, he explained. He denied that castes were divided and claimed that all the sub-castes were brought together and figures were in order. Teachers and officials, under the leadership of respective deputy commissioners, conducted the survey. The data was computerised and stored safely by Bharat Electronics. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Based on the data, he and his team prepared a report and submitted it, he said. According to Hegde, when Kantharaj was chairman of the commission, the govt brought in an amendment to a law to conduct the survey. He also denied the allegation that the member secretary did not sign the survey report and said the official did not sign the interim report.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Missing original caste census report throws govt's social justice plans into disarray
Bengaluru: The mystery surrounding the disappearance of the original socio-economic and education survey report, popularly known as the caste census, prepared by the Kantharaj Commission has triggered a fierce political row, with opposition parties criticising the govt for basing crucial policy decisions on a revised report drawn from sample data. The revised report, submitted in 2023 by Backward Classes Commission led by K Jayaprakash Hegde, was based on select data from copies of the original Kantharaj Commission survey. The move has triggered sharp reactions and cast doubts over the authenticity of the entire exercise. Hegde set off a political storm when he told reporters: "It is true the original data compiled under the Kantharaj Commission could not be located. We had to rely on a sample-based methodology to compile the current report. It was the only viable option given the circumstances." The admission prompted an immediate backlash, with opposition leader R Ashoka asking how policy decisions can be based on a report that lacks the foundation of the original. "This is gross injustice to the people of Karnataka. The entire process is shrouded in mystery and lacks transparency," he said. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The JD(S) echoed the criticism, accusing the state govt of using the revised report for political advantage. "This revised report is nothing but a political tool to appease certain vote banks. The govt must come clean on the missing original report before taking up the revised one," the party said. Adding to the controversy, a letter purportedly by Hegde to the govt in Nov 2023, circulating on social media, states that the sealed boxes containing the Kantharaj Commission's survey details were opened on Aug 26, 2021, in the presence of the commission's chairman, members, and the member secretary. While printed versions of the report were available, they lacked the member secretary's signature, and the original blueprint was missing. "The officer concerned was directed to submit the blueprint immediately," the letter states. "The officer has submitted a reply stating that it is missing. Bringing this matter to the notice of the govt, I would seek how to proceed further and take action in this regard." Despite calls for an investigation — especially since the original survey cost the state exchequer a staggering Rs 160 crore — the govt is yet to file a formal case and initiate a probe. "Even now, no one knows where the original report is," said an official. Defending the revised report, home minister G Parameshwara said, "The data was compiled using a scientific approach. The commission has applied statistical techniques widely accepted in demographic studies. Sample-based surveys are legitimate when conducted correctly." However, sociologist Dr BN Savitha cautioned against using such data for policymaking. "Sample surveys can offer insights but cannot replace a full-scale enumeration when dealing with something as sensitive and complex as caste data," Savitha said. "There is a risk that any caste-based restructuring based on this document may be challenged in court."
