There are several cases where it is necessary to visit one household more than once to complete the survey, says the Census Commissioner. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO
Enumerators involved in the social and education survey under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits are quite confused by the authorities’ recent order asking them to conduct the survey from 8 am to 9 pm to complete the process within the stipulated time.
They said that on the one hand, the authorities have been hitting them with notices that they are not meeting targets and on the other, they are facing non-cooperation from the public.
The chief secretary, in a letter to the GBA chief commissioner on October 13, said only 30% of houses under the GBA limits were inspected. “It is difficult to extend the survey period,” the letter said.
Letter to the Commissioner
The chief secretary directed the GBA chief commissioner and the five zonal commissioners to take immediate action to speed up the process. Following this, a new survey timing has been set for the GBA area.
As of Wednesday, of the total of about 46 million households to be surveyed under the GBA limits, just over 15 million (about 33%) were surveyed.
“We work without breaks and holidays to complete the work within the stipulated time. Now to say that we should work from 8 am to 9 pm is inhumane. This has put us under mental stress,” the enumerator said.
Another enumerator said that there are several cases where it is necessary to visit one household more than once to complete the survey. According to him, widespread non-cooperation is also quite common.
“When a family says that they will not participate in the survey, we ask them to sign in this regard on the application form as a record of their own choice. They refuse and some even insult us,” said the enumerator. “There were also physical attacks, but when we brought them to the attention of the guards, they just didn’t believe us,” he said, adding that it would be better if the government provided them with body cameras so that the authorities would believe what they were experiencing.
“The public should understand”
Speaking to The Hindu, Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa said, “Our teachers are conducting the survey successfully despite many difficulties. Cases have been registered against those who misbehave with enumerators. If officials are unnecessarily harassing teachers during the survey, I appeal to the government to take action against them. It is inexcusable. If these people from Bengaluru will refuse to poll, refuse to vote. a survey is underway to bring about social equality. The public should understand that.”
Published – 15 Oct 2025 23:26 IST
