Karnataka: Caste census report tabled before Cabinet

NB: This is a developing story and will be updated.

The much-awaited Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, popularly known as the "caste census", was formally presented before the Karnataka cabinet on Friday, 11 April.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, chief minister Siddaramaiah said, "Some ministers said they want to go through the recommendations first. For this reason, there will be a cabinet meeting on 17 April."

Karnataka law and parliamentary affairs minister H.K. Patil said it was decided that a discussion on the caste census would take place in a special cabinet meeting on 17 April.

According to backward class development minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, the caste census report is in 50 volumes. It includes 5.98 crore people from 1.38 crore families.

"It encompasses 94.77 per cent of people. Only 5.23 per cent of people are out of its ambit," Tangadagi told reporters.

The caste census was prepared with the help of 1.6 lakh officers, including 79 IAS officers, 777 senior level officers, 1,33,825 teachers and 22,190 personnel in agriculture and other departments, he said.

The Socio-Economic and Education Survey was submitted to chief minister Siddaramaiah by the chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, K. Jayaprakash Hegde, in February 2024.