High command has decided to conduct Caste Census afresh, says Siddaramaiah

Chikkaballapur: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday clarified that the Congress high command decided to conduct the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey (Caste Census) afresh in Karnataka.

Interacting with journalists at Alakapur helipad in Gowribidanur taluk, Siddaramaiah said, “The survey was last conducted in 2015. We have received complaints about the data being obsolete. Taking all issues into consideration, we have issued directions to conduct the survey afresh.”

However, the chief minister was quick to point out that the report submitted by the Kantharaju-led commission would not be ignored entirely.

“The survey will be conducted, with a few changes to the process, over a span of 60 to 70 days,” he added.

On the raids carried out by the Enforcement Directorate against elected representatives in Ballari, Siddaramaiah said, “If there is evidence of the law having been broken, the government will not support such individuals. But action must be taken in accordance with the law. The government will always support enforcement of the law.”

Accusing the BJP of milking the stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for political gain, Siddaramaiah pointed to a string of mishaps and tragedies reported under the saffron party, ranging from the stampede at Kumbha Mela in Prayagraj to the death of patients at a Chamarajanagar hospital owing to oxygen shortage during the pandemic.

“The BJP has fallen into the habit of demanding resignation, besides misleadingthe public with lies,” the CM rued.