Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Jun 28: It is said that even after a year since the social and education survey (popularly known as caste census) was readied for submission, the coalition government in the state has not been showing interest to receive the report. For the first time in the country, the then Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had ordered for conducting of this survey to assess educational and social status of different groups, and how far government facilities have helped them. The report, which was prepared by Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, cost about Rs 158.47 crore to the exchequer.
It is reported that the chairman and members of the commission had met chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, a few times and held discussions on handing over the said report. But fearing that if the report is received, organizations including political outfits might pressurize him to release it to the public, the chief minister is dithering from accepting the report. Therefore, the commission plans to meet chief secretary of the state, T M Vijay Bhaskar, and discuss with him about the submission of the report to the government.
The non-acceptance of the report has come to the fore at a time when scheduled communities have sought for raising of reservation percentage to 7.5 from the current 3. The Karnataka SC ST Commission has to verify the report and send its report to the government. The commission has to check whether the actual number of these communities tally with the reservation quantum sought by the communities.
Sources said that unless the government accepts and adopts the report, the statistics contained therein cannot be made public and cannot be used to take decisions. As the Supreme Court has said that statistics and data being used for polity decisions should not older than ten years.
Chairman of Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission H Kantaraj, and minister for Backward Classes’ Welfare C Puttaranga Shetty, stated that the chief minister has to take a stand and decision on this issue.