Areas under BBMP lag behind in caste census

Even as the enumeration for the socio-economic and caste census 2011 is being carried out at a brisk pace in several districts in the State, it is lagging behind in the Palike areas.

The Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) is the nodal agency in the State for conducting the census, that is being carried out in two phases.

While districts like Haveri have already completed 100 per cent enumeration, the enumeration in BBMP areas stands at a mere 24.45 per cent.

Officials in RDPR attribute the slow pace to the charge centre numbering only 90 in the BBMP areas. The charge centres are used as co-ordination centres for the enumeration team. The centre should be equipped with computers, hardware and furniture.

“There were certain problems while setting up the charge centres due to lack of computers. Also the training of enumerators was delayed. In the midst of all these there was a change of commissioner. However, we hope to complete the enumeration by March 31,” said Principal Secretary of RDPR Amita Prasad.

When contacted BBMP Additional Commissioner (Administration) B S Patil admitted to the delay and said that enumeration in BBMP wards could not be compared with that in eight districts.

“In two days, we shall receive a complete report on the status of the census. We are still trying to ascertain the problem areas,” he said.

The census is being conducted across the country to implement various development programmes for the welfare of the people.

The data thus gathered is stored in a tablet PC or a hand-held electronic device developed by BEL. It is directly uploaded to database server at the National Informatics Centre in Delhi.