Karnataka: 13 departments yet to share secondary data with Backward Classes Commissions’ panel for caste census

Bengaluru: As many as 13 government departments have failed to furnish secondary data sought by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission for the Social and Educational Survey or caste census.

These departments have failed to upload information on the caste of their staff, university students, among others. The state government has issued a final reminder to all departments asking them to provide the information sought by the commission.

The survey, carried out in September and October, entailed collection of data at the citizens’ doorstep. This needs to be supplemented by data from departments that illuminate caste-wise representation in government service and at educational institutions. This secondary data is essential to the commission, since it will be used in making recommendations to the government.

Although the departments were told to share the data by November 30, they have failed to meet the deadline, and the commission is hoping the information is furnished by Tuesday.

Energy, Social Welfare, Backward Classes Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Co-Operation, Medical Education, Kannada and Culture, Youth Empowerment, IT/BT, Scheduled Castes Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs, Horticulture, and Information and Public Relations departments have shared all the information sought by the commission.

Finance, Rural Development, Public Works, Woman and Child Welfare, Minor Irrigation, Agriculture, Labour, Major Irrigation, Skill Development, Home, Internal Administration, Infrastructure and Law have shared part of the information that the commission has asked for.  

Meanwhile, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Urban Development, Public Works, Woman and Child Development, Housing, Higher Education, School Education, Revenue, Social Security, Sericulture, Fisheries, Commerce and Industries, Health and Family Welfare departments are yet to begin uploading relevant information.

In her letter to these departments, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Uma Mahadevan has lamented their failure to share all the relevant information despite skilled nodal officers being appointed, and further, being trained on how to upload the data.

She has directed the Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries of all departments to upload data on employees across Groups – A, B, C and D – besides sharing information on students at universities and other educational institutions.