Bengaluru Socio-economic Survey likely to be extended till October 18 amid political controversy

The Socio-Economic and Educational Survey in Greater Bengaluru is likely to extend till October 18, with 1.22 lakh households surveyed so far. Union Minister V Somanna criticizes the exercise, alleging political motives.

The Socio-Economic and Educational Survey in the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits is experiencing delays, likely extending the exercise till October 18. The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes revealed that the enumeration began only recently, giving enumerators approximately two weeks to complete the survey in Bengaluru Urban.

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While teachers are conducting the survey across other districts, government officials are handling Bengaluru, ensuring that teachers returning after mid-term vacations will not impact the process. In the first two days alone, 1.22 lakh households were enumerated. Preliminary projections estimate around 7.5 lakh households to be surveyed across Bengaluru Urban, with numbers expected to rise once the exercise is complete.

A progress review meeting is expected in the coming days, particularly ahead of the scheduled completion date of October 7 in other districts. For districts lagging behind, extensions or online surveys could be adopted. A final decision is likely to be chaired by the Chief Minister.

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The survey, however, has stirred political controversy. During a survey at the residence of Union Minister V Somanna, he reacted sharply to the requirement of nine individuals for completing the questionnaire. Somanna alleged that the survey is designed to collect caste data for political purposes under Siddaramaiah’s leadership, and questioned the need for sub-caste enumeration. He warned that the exercise may face the same fate as the Kantharaj report, previously discarded due to technical flaws.