Karnataka caste survey off to sluggish start amid technical, administrative hurdles

Enumeration delayed in Tumakuru, Hassan and several other districts due to app glitches, network issues, and planning lapses, while Bengaluru North shows smoother progress.

Bengaluru: The social and educational survey (caste census) got off to a sluggish start on Monday, as complaints of technical glitches and administrative hurdles disrupted proceedings across the state.

This is the second such survey in Karnataka, after the H Kantharaj-led Backward Classes Commission conducted a similar exercise in 2015 during Siddaramaiah's first term as chief minister.

The exercise is yet to begin in Bengaluru (Greater Bengaluru Authority), as enumerators are still undergoing training. It is expected to start in 4-5 days.

Issues concerning the installation and operation of mobile apps, network problems, poor planning in assigning houses to teachers (enumerators), absence of manuals, and other logistical concerns derailed the survey across the state.

Survey Yet to Begin in Tumakuru, Hassan

Enumeration hasn’t started in Tumakuru and Hassan. In Tumakuru, technical issues and server problems stalled the process. “The new app hasn’t been released yet. The survey will begin after it is released,” said Tumakuru district Social Welfare Department joint director Krishnappa. In Hassan, only the apps could be downloaded on Monday; the survey will begin on Tuesday.

Multiple snags also affected the exercise in Kalaburgi, Bidar, Koppal, Hubballi, Bagalakote, Vijayanagara, Davanagere, Shivamogga, Chitradurga, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, and other districts. The survey progressed relatively well in Bengaluru North (Bengaluru Rural).

In Kalaburgi’s Chincholli taluk, only 145 out of 380 enumerators received their kits, while the survey didn’t start in Shahapur and Hunasagi in Yadgir, Sirivara in Raichur, and Kalagi in Kalaburgi.

Each enumerator has been assigned roughly 150 houses. However, houses were not properly distributed in the app at Hubballi, while locations were wrongly mapped in Chitradurga. In some areas of Bagalakote, UHID numbers didn’t match the app. Some enumerators were assigned faraway locations, while others were allotted as many as 250 houses.

Speaking to DH, Backward Classes Commission member secretary KA Dayananda said: “Today was the first day; more than enumeration, they (enumerators) were downloading things, reviewing block boundaries, keeping documents, and readying kits. Despite that, 400 houses (1,200 people) were enumerated across the state by 2 pm.”

Dayananda added that some OTP-related issues had been resolved. “After districts raised concerns about enumerator shortages, we approved additional recruitment. If there are remaining problems, DCs will address them and start their work,” he said.

Around 2 lakh teachers and other workers are being used as enumerators to gather information from roughly 2 crore families, including those in Bengaluru.

Earlier in the day, Backward Classes Commission chairman Madhusudan R Naik said: “There’s no question of postponing the survey. We cannot be pressurised. We are hopeful that the court will not interfere.”

According to a commission member, the commission will meet on Tuesday for further discussions.

Key issues

- Problems in installation and operation of mobile apps

- Network issues and OTP-related problems

- Absence of manuals in several locations

- Poor planning in assigning houses