4 days Ago
Belagavi: Amid backlash over the contentious caste census report that will be discussed at the cabinet meeting next Thursday, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey , conducted by the State Backward Classes Commission, is "almost 95% perfect" — it's 98% perfect in rural areas, and 94% in urban areas. Reacting to former CM Jagadish Shettar's criticism that the caste census was "unscientific", Siddaramaiah said a total of 1.6 lakh personnel, including 1.
3 lakh teachers, took part in the exercise. "In Karnataka, a majority of teachers belong to the general castes. Is Shettar expressing doubt about the efficiency of those general caste teachers?" he asked.
Siddaramaiah maintained that no census can be 100% accurate, not even the general census conducted in 2011 across the country. He explained that urban data tends to vary slightly due to challenges like residents living in apartments or being unavailable at the time of survey. Calling the exercise unscientific is unfair, he said.
The CM emphasised that a caste census is the need of the hour, as no such exercise has been conducted since 1931. "There is no proper data to determine reservations. Even the Supreme Court and the Mandal Commission had asked for caste data, but it isn't available," he said.
After discussion at the next cabinet, the CM said it will be tabled in legislative assembly. ‘Internal reservation a complex subject' On the delay in implementing internal reservation, Siddaramaiah said it is a complex subject, as there are 101 sub-castes within the Scheduled Castes category, including ‘left' and ‘right' groups. "Some identify as Adi Dravida, others as Adi Karnataka or Adi Andhra.
There are many confusions that require a detailed study," he said. On Smriti Bhavan being built by Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti at Hindalaga in memory of martyrs of the border dispute, Siddaramaiah said they have legal rights to construct such buildings. "Karnataka also constructs buildings in other states.
It's part of the federal system," he said. However, he added: "We will never let Belagavi be merged with Maharashtra.".
