Minister cites Supreme Court direction, defends caste census

The state government gave the go ahead to conduct the socio-economic survey (popularily known as the caste census) following a direction from the Supreme Court, Social Welfare H Anjaneya said.

Replying to queries from reporters regarding a recent submission made by the Centre before the Karnataka High Court that the Constitution empowers only the Central government to conduct population census, Anjaneya said the state government is abiding by the direction of the Supreme Court.

He also reiterated that the State Backward Classes Commission, which conducted the caste census would be submitting its report to government on August 20, to coincide with the birth centenary of former chief minister D Devaraj Urs.

“There have been instances when the Supreme Court has sought to know the basis on which the state government took decisions pertaining to reservation and had sought data on castes,” Anjaneya said. 

The last caste census was conducted in 1931. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would receive the report from the commission, Anjaneya said.

Residential schools
Anjaneya said the Social Welfare Department would open 145 residential schools at the hobli-level soon.

An additional 245 residential schools would be sanctioned next month, he said.
The government would soon keep its commitment of opening one residential school in very hobli in the state, he said.