'Final report of caste census expected by April next'

The overall caste census that will be launched in November this year is expected to compile its report in six months by April next, announced the Chairman of Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission H Kantharaju.

Addressing the media at the court hall in deputy commissioner’s office here on Wednesday, Kantharaju said the deputy commissioners and chief executive officers of Zilla Panchayats in respective districts will be entrusted with the task of taking up the census making judicious of available resources.

The census follows a government order in January, that intends to cover 1.25 crore households in the State (according to the population census of 2011), with the help of 1.25 lakh enumerators and funds sanctioned to the tune of Rs 117 crore. A questionnaire of 50 general questions will be provided to the enumerators to collect the details from every families.

Kantharaju said, according to the available information, only 1,077 castes had been identified. After completing the exercise, the number of castes may increase or decrease. However, 101 castes coming under SC and 49 under ST have been exempted from the census.

Kantharaju appealed to the people to cooperate with the enumerators by providing adequate information on the financial, social and academic status to help the government in bringing various benefits under State and Central schemes to their doorsteps.

The final report is expected to be prepared by April next and will be handed over to the government for further measures.