Karnataka caste census 80% completed, deadline may be extended: Home Minister

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Monday indicated that the October 7 deadline for the state’s ongoing caste census may be extended to ensure full coverage since enumeration has been completed for about 80 per cent of the population, and some districts are lagging behind.

He added that while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is reviewing the progress, "I don't know whether they might extend the process (deadline) for a few days to complete it. It has to be completed, there's no option for us."

The survey, which began on September 22, is being conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes. It will cover around 1.43 crore households across the state at an estimated cost of Rs 420 crore.

The Karnataka Home Minister’s remarks came a day after the opposition BJP raised objections to the manner in which the caste census was being conducted and the nature of the questions being asked.

“The caste census being conducted by the government in the name of a social and educational survey is creating confusion by the day and has caused unrest across communities,” state BJP chief BY Vijayendra said.

Vijayendra said that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced a historic decision to include caste enumeration in its upcoming national census, "there was no need to create such confusion in our state."

Union Minister of State V Somanna also out at the Karnataka Congress government and termed the survey as "unscientific" and "filled with confusion and technical errors."

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah slammed the state's opposition for criticising the caste census, calling it “hypocritical”.

Last week, he said that the BJP leaders who once supported caste surveys in Bihar and Telangana, and whose own Union government has initiated a caste census, were now calling for a boycott in Karnataka.

“This survey is not against anyone; it is in favour of everyone,” he said, adding that the exercise covers all seven crore residents of the state to ensure equitable representation.

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