After facing multiple delays, the comprehensive Social and Educational Survey officially launched in Bengaluru on Saturday, marking a significant step for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) area. On its inaugural day, dedicated enumerators successfully visited and surveyed 22,141 households across the city’s five municipal corporations.
Initial reports indicate strong participation in some areas, with the West Corporation leading the charge by surveying 7,082 households. The North City Corporation followed closely, completing surveys for 5,987 residences.
However, the survey’s rollout wasn’t without its challenges. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also oversees Bengaluru Development, inaugurated the initiative amidst some difficulties. Many enumerators staged protests at the Malleswaram municipal office, citing personal hardships, including family care responsibilities and health concerns. Additionally, technical glitches and a lack of full cooperation from some residents added to the initial hurdles.
GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao acknowledged these issues, stating that minor technical snags and problems with location allotments were anticipated during the first two days. He assured the public that these would be promptly addressed to ensure smoother operations going forward.
Simplify the Process for Urban Residents
During his own participation in the survey at his Sadashivanagar home, Mr. Shivakumar openly admitted that the questionnaire could benefit from simplification, especially for the city’s fast-paced urban dwellers. “I reviewed the questions; they should have been made simpler. People in urban areas tend to have less patience,” he remarked.
Addressing concerns about residents’ willingness to participate, he stressed the government’s responsibility to educate the public. “It is our duty to explain, and we will do it,” he affirmed, urging everyone to contribute to the survey for the benefit of future generations. He also reassured that technical issues would be swiftly resolved, allowing for online information submission.
Furthermore, Mr. Shivakumar clarified that no respondent would be forced to answer sensitive or personal questions. “The court has ruled that individuals cannot be compelled to answer such questions. If anyone feels uncomfortable, they can choose not to respond. I have instructed surveyors to exercise sensitivity when collecting data within the city,” he stated.
In response to the Deputy Chief Minister’s experience of the survey taking a full hour, Mr. Rao acknowledged the feedback. “I cannot dispute what the DCM experienced. We will review all feedback to identify areas for improvement in the process,” he concluded, signaling a commitment to refining the survey for greater efficiency and ease.