News Brief
Census (Representative Image)
Karnataka's extended caste census, formally concluded on Saturday (18 October) with 85 per cent coverage of 1.09 crore households across the state.
However, Bengaluru fell significantly short, managing only 45 per cent participation among its 40 lakh households in the Greater Bengaluru Authority area.
The survey, conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes at an estimated cost of Rs 420 crore, commenced on 22 September and was initially scheduled to conclude on 7 October.
Around 1.75 lakh government teachers were deployed as enumerators during the Dusshera holidays to conduct the door-to-door exercise.
Households missed during the drive can still submit entries online until 31 October.
Urban areas, particularly Bengaluru, faced significant challenges during the survey.
Technical glitches, enumerator protests, and general confusion contributed to the slow pace of enumeration in the metropolitan area.
The survey aimed to collect comprehensive data on caste, sub-caste, religion, education, occupation, income, and assets to help the government frame welfare policies and identify marginalised sections.
Rural areas reportedly achieved nearly 90 per cent coverage, highlighting the stark urban-rural divide in participation rates across Karnataka's socio-economic data collection exercise.