Latest news with #SocialandEducationalSurvey
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka: Cabinet discussion on caste survey inconclusive, second time in 2 weeks
The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday held another round of discussions on the Social and Educational Survey report, commonly referred to as the caste census, but once again stopped short of reaching a decision, with Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister HK Patil confirming that the deliberation remained 'incomplete'. Most ministers have submitted their written responses to chief minister Siddaramaiah, while a few are yet to do so. 'The cabinet today once again discussed the Social and Educational Survey report, the discussion was incomplete. The chief minister had earlier asked the cabinet ministers to give their opinion in writing and most of the ministers' opinions have reached the Chief Minister except three or four,' Patil told reporters after the meeting. 'The subject will be discussed in the next cabinet meeting or the one after that, after getting certain details and studying them,' he added. The Thursday's meeting marks the latest in a series of delays by the Congress-led government in deciding on the caste census report. The meeting on May 10 was also inconclusive, with ministers receiving additional data, including population statistics broken down by taluks and districts, prompting calls for a more detailed review. The cabinet convened a special meeting on April 17 exclusively to debate the report, but it too ended without a resolution. At that time, some ministers reportedly raised concerns about the methodology and accuracy of the survey, labelling it as unscientific and outdated, and pointing to possible undercounting. These concerns led Siddaramaiah to request written feedback from each minister. Criticism of the survey has intensified in recent weeks, particularly from influential community groups. The Vokkaligas and Veerashaiva-Lingayats, Karnataka's two dominant communities, have strongly objected to the findings, demanding that the report be scrapped and a fresh survey conducted. The groundwork for the caste census was laid during Siddaramaiah's initial tenure as chief minister, involving an extensive 2015 survey costing ₹162 crore. Although Siddaramaiah announced his acceptance of the report in June, its contents and release date remain undisclosed. The leaked data indicated that Scheduled Castes (SCs) accounted for 19.5% of the state's total population, followed by Muslims at 16%. Lingayats and Vokkaligas represented 14% and 11% of the population, respectively. Within the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Kuruba community alone comprised 7% of Karnataka's population, contributing to the OBCs' overall representation of 20% in the state. Collectively, these groups, including SCs, STs, Muslims, and Kurubas, formed a substantial portion of the population at 47.5%. The political implications of these findings could significantly impact the state's political landscape, according to federations of marginalised sections.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Ensure caste census doesn't bring disrepute to Rahul: Kharge
Hosapete: As the Karnataka cabinet is yet to take a call on the Social and Educational Survey report—popularly known as the 'caste census'—Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said the exercise must be carried out properly, ensuring that it does not create future problems or bring disrepute to party leader Rahul Gandhi. Amid a separate survey underway to determine internal reservations among Scheduled Castes (SCs), the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha expressed concern over the alleged inclusion of the Beda Jangama community in the SC list and called for action against fake caste certificates. Kharge was speaking at an event marking two years of the Congress government in Karnataka, during which over 1.11 lakh title deeds were distributed to eligible beneficiaries, whose 'undocumented habitations' were recognised as revenue villages. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, party general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, and several party leaders and ministers attended the event. 'I want to tell Siddaramaiah and all ministers in his Cabinet: carry out the caste census but do it properly. It should not tarnish Rahul Gandhi's name. If you seek credit for the work but it causes problems, it will impact the entire state,' Kharge said.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Caste census report discussions after ministers share opinion: HM
Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said that the Social and Educational Survey report, popularly known as 'caste census', is likely to be discussed by the cabinet separately, once all ministers give their opinion about it in writing. He also said that there is a demand from some quarters to extend the period of a separate survey that is underway for gathering empirical data aimed at providing internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SCs). Parameshwara, responding to a question about whether there was a lack of unity in the cabinet on the caste census report, said, 'There is no such thing within the cabinet. We have not yet taken up the subject for discussion. The chief minister has asked all the ministers to give their opinion in writing. They are giving, and once they give, probably a date will be fixed for discussion in the cabinet.' Noting that the caste census report should be discussed separately, he said time should be given to discuss as it is not something that can be discussed for ten minutes or half-an-hour in the cabinet, along with other subjects. 'Eleven ministers are said to have given their opinion. Everyone will give. Everyone cannot give at once, one after the other, they will give,' he told reporters here. The cabinet last week had decided to defer again any decision on the caste census report, to discuss it in detail, as additional information has been provided to ministers. It is learnt that additional volumes of the survey report, including the taluk wise and district wise population data were provided to the ministers. Earlier, amid internal differences over the caste census report, a special meeting of the state cabinet that met on April 17 to discuss it had ended inconclusive, without any major decision. According to sources, on April 17, some ministers expressed reservations about the survey report, citing concerns expressed from several quarters calling it unscientific and outdated, and about undercounting. Following this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked all ministers to give their opinion in writing or verbally. Various communities, especially Karnataka's two dominant ones -- Vokkaligas and Veershaiva-Lingayats -- have expressed strong reservations about the survey that has been done, calling it 'unscientific', and have demanded that it be rejected, and a fresh survey be conducted. Objections have also been raised by various sections of society, and there are also strong voices against it from within the ruling Congress. Regarding the separate survey that is on for gathering empirical data aimed at providing internal reservation among SCs, the Home Minister said some community leaders had met him stating that time was not enough for a detailed survey and urged him to ensure that the survey period is extended. 'They said more time is needed, minimum of 15 days to one month more time is required. I have asked them to give a representation to the chief minister and Justice H N Nagamohan Das commission which is overseeing this survey. If they are convinced that more time is required, they may grant an extension,' he said. A three-phase exercise to collect empirical data to provide internal reservation for SCs, began on May 5. Siddaramaiah had earlier said first there will be a door-to-door survey from May 5-17, and those not enumerated during this period can get registered through specific camps from May 19-21. There will also be an option for self-declaration from May 19-23.
Deccan Herald
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Upparas found to be most backward of 22 communities
Bengaluru: The Uppara community, with a backwardness score of 134.88/200, is the most backward amongst 22 specific communities in the OBC and general list, according to the latest data from the Social and Educational Survey (caste census) details of community-wise backwardness were provided to the ministers by the backward classes welfare department during the last Cabinet survey with 54 questions was conducted for 200 marks. The higher the score, the more backward a community Upparas were followed by Besthas (129.45) and Kuruba (123.50) as the second and third most backward communities, respectively. .Forward were found to be the most forward community (11.29), followed by Christians (24.68) and Bunts (31.81)..The dominant, landowning Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities scored 41.58 and 42.60, respectively. Except for Brahmins (general), the remaining 21 communities considered in the list were categorised under the other backward classes (OBC) list..A caste census will reveal India's worst-kept DH had reported earlier, the 54 questions were based on social, educational and livelihood categories. Of the 200 points, 100 points were awarded to questions on social backwardness, followed by education (68) and livelihood (32)..With 90 marks considered the cut-off point, communities scoring over 90 points were considered 'most backward' and categorised under category 1. .This was further divided into 1A (125+) and 1B (90-124). While Upparas and Besthas are categorised under 1A, Kurubas come under there was only category 1. The Jayaprakash Hegde-led backward classes commission has recommended dividing the category into 1A and 1B, with some communities like Kuruba, which were earlier in 2A, now moved to 1B. .Communities scoring in the range of 50-89 were considered 'more backward' and categorised as category 2 (2A and 2B). Communities like Idiga, Maratha, Tigala and Ganiga feature in 2A. Muslims and sub-castes come under 2B. .Communities scoring in the 20-49 range were considered 'backward' and put into category 3 (those communities under 3A and 3B were retained as such)..While Vokkaligas, Balijas and so on come under 3A, Lingayats, Christians, Bunts and so on feature under 3B. Communities scoring under 19 points were considered under the general category. .Ministers were provided a consolidated document with details of each caste spanning three pages, comprising 18 characteristics of those castes, including total number of households in the caste, population of male and female and sexual minorities, Aadhaar details, number of married people, literacy level, number of employed and unemployed people and land-holders.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HD Kumaraswamy calls caste census move 'historic', hails PM Modi's decision
JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday described the central government's decision to include caste enumeration in the next census as "historic", saying it would provide authentic, scientific, and transparent caste data, moving away from 'politically motivated' state-level surveys that often lacked credibility and uniformity. Also Read - Nigerian woman found dead in Bengaluru outskirts, police suspect murder: Report He expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a "decisive and far-sighted action" in the nation's interest. In a major move, the union government on Wednesday announced that caste enumeration would be part of the forthcoming national census, to be conducted in a "transparent" manner. "A historic and visionary decision under the dynamic leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, caste enumeration will now be part of the national census for the first time since 1931," Kumaraswamy said in a post on 'X'. He said this step would provide reliable and scientific data, replacing unverified state-level caste surveys. Also Read - Karnataka transport minister orders probe after bus driver offers Namaz during duty "With this bold move, PM Modi has reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive governance and data-driven policymaking. This will enable better welfare planning, strengthen social justice, and help build a more equitable future," he added. Announcing the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that while the census is a central subject, some states had conducted caste surveys "non-transparently", creating doubts in society. Karnataka conducted a Social and Educational Survey—popularly known as the 'caste census'—in 2015. The report is currently before the state cabinet for discussion. Several communities, particularly Karnataka's two dominant ones—Vokkaligas and Veerashaiva-Lingayats—have strongly objected to the survey, calling it "unscientific" and demanding a fresh one. Objections have also been raised by other sections of society, including voices from within the ruling Congress party.
