Karnataka govt begins survey of SCs to collect empirical data

A survey on Scheduled Castes sub-classification in Karnataka has begun and will continue until 17 May, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said today, Monday.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, the CM said, “ of scheduled castes is going on in the state. A one-man commission led by the retired high court judge Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das has been constituted. He has been mandated to give a clear report on the sub-quota for castes in the SC list."

According to the CM, the commission has to submit its report within 60 days. Rs 100 crore will be spent on the exercise and 65,000 teachers will be roped in as enumerators.

Siddaramaiah said the purpose of this exercise was to gather empirical data on 101 castes in the SC list. The second phase of the exercise will be held between 19 and 21 May and designated camps will be organised as part of this for the benefit of those who were left out in the first phase.

The third phase, meant for online registration, will also begin on 19 May, and will go on until 23 May. Those who are residing outside their towns can make use of this, Siddaramaiah explained.

He added that the Supreme Court verdict dated 1 August 2024 in the case of the State of Punjab and others v. Devender Singh and others upheld the constitutionality of sub-classification within SCs. “Based on the apex court order, we have formed the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission,” the chief minister said.

Siddaramaiah said in the status of some scheduled castes. While castes such as Adi Dravida, Adi Karnataka and Adi Andhra are in the ‘Left’ category in some places, they are in the ‘Right’ category in other places. The commission will give clear recommendations and prepare empirical data, he explained.

A mobile application has also been developed and a helpline number (94813 59000) has been allotted for this purpose, Siddaramaiah said. He appealed to the people of SC communities in the state to come forward and make this exercise a success.