Karnataka Orders Fresh Survey For Scheduled Castes To Plan Quota-Within-Quota Amid Long-Pending Caste Survey Data

The Karnataka government has decided to conduct a fresh survey to collect empirical data for restructuring the 17 per cent reservation allocated to 101 Scheduled Caste (SC) sub-castes, reported India Today.

The move comes after Justice HN Nagamohan Das submitted an interim report on internal reservation to Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah on 27 March, just ahead of the Cabinet meeting.

The decision follows mounting pressure from various SC communities and factions within the ruling Congress party, demanding urgent implementation of internal reservation. 

In response, the government has extended the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission’s tenure by two months, ensuring that a final report is submitted within 60 days.

The order comes amid the long-pending data revelation of the caste survey conducted by Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) between 2015 and 2017 during Siddaramaiah's initial term as CM.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil announced that the commission will oversee the new survey, which is expected to be completed within a 40-day timeline, with an additional 5-10 days for preparation. 

To ensure efficiency, the process will involve 6,000 panchayats and over 300 urban local bodies, under the direct supervision of the Chief Secretary.

The commission has recommended the use of advanced technology and a scientific approach to classify SC sub-castes. 

Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa clarified that despite the availability of Census data, a fresh survey was necessary.

He pointed out that four major SC groups were excluded from previous Census reports, and proceeding without updated data could result in legal challenges.

The decision aligns with the demand of the SC Left group, which has long argued that influential sub-castes have monopolised reservation benefits while smaller and marginalised groups remain underrepresented. 

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