Express News Service By

BENGALURU: The first caste-based socio-educational survey of the state’s 6.3-crore population will be taken up for 20 days from April 11, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said here on Monday.

The survey report is expected to throw light on the status of every individual on matters like sanitation, profession, living environment, religion, gender, educational qualification and access to electricity. The survey will also include details about whether or not a person is entitled to the benefits of various government schemes and education quotas.

After chairing a review meeting on the preparations for the programme, Siddaramaiah said the enumeration is the first of its kind after Independence in the state. He said 1.26 lakh enumerators will visit over 1.30 crore households for door-to-door survey.

He said each enumerator is expected to collect data from about 120-150 families. The review meeting was attended by deputy commissioners of all districts, apart from the top officials of city corporations and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and district social welfare offices. Everyone has been directed to ensure that the survey is a success, the chief minister said.

He also said teachers would be deployed for enumeration work as the survey will be taken up during the summer vacation of schools and colleges.

Social Welfare Minister

H Anjaneya told reporters that the government has earmarked `170 crore for the survey. He added that the data collected would be processed in two months.

What They Will Ask

The enumerators will collect information like the person’s religious belief, conversion history, marital status, which will include a polygamy and polyandry query, health history and the source(s) of livelihood.

According to the enumeration manual, released by the Social Welfare Department on Monday, every enumerator will have to collect data on over 55 issues. A senior official involved with the survey told Express that each enumerator will have to spend a minimum of 45 minutes with one family.

A column will be dedicated to culling out reasons for children dropping out of school and it will include options like caste discrimination, problem with the medium of instruction, marriage, non-availability of admission and lack of basic amenities, among others.

The enumerators have been directed not to insist on being shown the caste and income certificates, officials said. They also have to collect data on disease history and how the disease(s) may be linked to the person’s profession.

Everyone Gets a Caste Tag

The government has notified 1,357 castes among the forward castes and OBCs, 101 in the Scheduled Castes and 50 in the Scheduled Tribes. Among the castes listed under OBC are Brahmin Christian, Kuruba Christian, Madiga Christian, Akkasali Christian, Sudri Christian, SC converted to Christianity, Setty Balija Christian, Nekara Christian, Nadar Christian and Lambani Christian.