Enumerators interacting with a family during a social and educational survey (caste survey) in Nagendra block, Bengaluru on October 4, 2025. | Photo credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
The resumption of the Social and Educational Survey by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes in the state, after the Deepavali holidays, was marked by higher absenteeism, especially in Bengaluru. Survey progress lags behind in Bengaluru where several households are indifferent.
While teachers formed the backbone of the survey that began across the state on September 22 and in the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) region on October 4, after returning to schools, the survey was not complete without them. Employees and officials of various departments were redeployed to locations/households on Thursday with the commencement of the survey.
Much redistributed
Higher absenteeism among enumerators was reported in Bengaluru. Several inspectors were transferred at the last minute to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) South and East Corporations, where teachers were the majority while others did not report for duty. Some enumerators were unable to report for duty because they were traveling, and others were unwilling to undertake surveys in new and distant areas.
“A review meeting has been scheduled to examine the reasons for the low turnout and verify the list of those who have been redeployed,” said a senior official overseeing the survey.
One of the census commissioners, speaking on condition of anonymity, said several field workers did not want to report to work because the new locations were too far away. “Many of us have been transferred to remote wards at the last minute. The government is not compensating us for travel or reducing survey hours, so people are not going to work.” The Census Commissioner also pointed out that many households were not interested and did not cooperate.
In the North Corporation, where teachers made up about 37% of the total of 3,327 enumerators, only 1,104 reported for duty on Thursday. The attendance was even worse in the central zone, with only 449 enumerators showing up by Thursday afternoon, against an assigned strength of 1,529. “While the 1,529 included teachers, there were also redistributed others employees to fill the gap. Even after excluding teachers, around 1,200 enumerators were expected to apply, but less than half turned up,” said a senior official.
Meanwhile, Ramanagar district, one of the three districts showing less than 90% progress at 86.16%, has crossed the 90% mark with 91.50% progress, according to officials.
The Great Migration
Lower progress in Bengaluru South (formerly Ramanagara) has been attributed to large-scale migration of people to Bengaluru for livelihood. “Many houses/households were not found at the addresses. We don’t know if they were enumerated in Bengaluru. Progress has been slow because of this,” said Deputy Director of Backward Classes Department Bilal Mohammed. He said that these taluk-level helplines have been set up and attempts are being made to contact households that have been left out.
Published – 23 October 2025 22:10 IST
