BC panel seeks details from GHMC on households missed out in caste survey

Hyderabad: The Telangana Backward Classes (BC) Commission has written to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) authorities seeking details regarding approximately 16 lakh people, primarily from the city, who did not participate in the caste survey. It has asked the GHMC to respond within a week, sources said.
While sharing details of the caste survey, the govt had said that the households which opted out have been extended an opportunity to submit their data if they choose to do so now.
According to well-placed sources, the commission has sought comprehensive data on these missing households. While a resurvey may not be pursued, the commission intends to find out if non-participation was a personal choice or inability of enumerators to reach them or some other reason.
"Some individuals may have intended to participate but were unable to, while others may have specific reasons for their non-participation. Although citizens have the right to choose whether or not to participate, gaining insights into their preferences would be beneficial," a source said.
Sources said the commission is also interested in engaging with such people and, if necessary, there is a proposal to hire an agency to facilitate meetings with people on the survey.
In the meantime, the commission will also address requests for name changes from certain communities.
"There are various groups within the same communities that do not want the name to be changed. We will visit these groups in the districts and make a final decision by the end of this month," said commission chairman G Niranjan.
Sources said that some Muslim groups have also approached the commission for removal of differentiation within BCs, emphasising that all (including Muslims) should be recognised as part of backward sections.