Karnataka Orders Fresh Caste Census, Scrapping Previous Reports | “Congress’ Caste Survey Flip-Flop: Who Will Answer for the ₹165 Crore Loss?”
*State government’s decision sparks debate over ₹165 crore spent on now-discarded survey*
Bengaluru: In a significant move, the Congress-led Karnataka government has ordered a fresh socio-economic caste survey, effectively nullifying the findings of two previous reports—one by the Kantharaj Commission and another by former Chief Minister Jayaprakash Hegde. The decision, taken during a special cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday, has reignited political tensions and raised questions about the ₹165 crore already spent on the now-defunct census.
Why a New Survey?
The government cited legal provisions under the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1995, to justify its decision. Section 11(1) of the Act mandates a new survey if a decade has passed since the last one.
“The Kantharaj Commission’s data is over ten years old. Socio-economic conditions have changed, necessitating an updated survey to ensure accurate welfare measures for backward classes,” CM Siddaramaiah explained after the cabinet meeting.
The move, however, has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who allege that the government is conceding to their long-standing argument that the previous data was outdated and unreliable.
Political Fallout
The BJP, which had previously contested the validity of the Kantharaj report, welcomed the decision. “This is a vindication of our stance. The Congress government wasted public money on flawed data,” a BJP spokesperson said.
Critics argue that the U-turn undermines the credibility of the earlier exercise, which cost taxpayers ₹165 crore. With a fresh survey likely to incur additional expenses, concerns over fiscal mismanagement have surfaced.
What’s Next?
The government has directed officials to complete the new survey within 90 days, though no cost estimates have been disclosed. The exercise aims to reassess the social, educational, and economic status of backward communities to tailor welfare schemes more effectively.
However, the abrupt shift has left many questioning the administration’s planning. “Will this new survey avoid the confusion and delays that plagued the last one?” asked political analyst Ramesh Narayan.
As Karnataka braces for another contentious caste census, the debate over transparency, fiscal responsibility, and political motives continues to simmer.
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