Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged all Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat CEOs to significantly ramp up efforts for Karnataka’s ambitious Social and Educational Survey. This push comes after slow progress over the past four days, largely due to initial technical issues.
Acknowledging that the initial technical hurdles have now been cleared, the Chief Minister mandated a swift acceleration of the survey. He emphasized the need for a daily progress rate of at least 10% to ensure the ambitious target is met.
A video accompanies this report, highlighting the initiation of Karnataka’s second socio-economic survey amidst ongoing discussions.
Karnataka’s Second Socio-Economic Survey Commences Amidst Public Debates
The survey, which began on Monday, September 22, 2025, marks Karnataka’s second socio-economic initiative. The previous survey’s findings from 2015, along with its 2024 recommendations, were put aside by the current Congress government. This new fortnight-long assessment is being carried out by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.
With an ambitious target of covering 1.43 crore families across Karnataka, the current progress stands at a mere 2.76 lakh families, less than 2% of the total. Regional Commissioners and district-level secretaries have been directed to closely monitor and actively participate in the survey’s advancement.
The survey, which began on September 22, is slated for completion on October 7. The Chief Minister firmly stated that no extensions would be granted, reiterating that initial technical issues were the primary cause for the slow commencement.
Specifically addressing the capital, the Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that enumeration in Bengaluru’s erstwhile BBMP limits, home to approximately 50 lakh households, begins immediately without any further hold-ups, as the survey there only started on September 26.
The high-level meeting saw the participation of Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and several other ministers.
In a video conference with DCs, CEOs, and other senior officials, Mr. Siddaramaiah advised seeking assistance from IT experts in relevant departments should any technical issues resurface. He underscored the critical importance of taking the survey work seriously and issued a stern warning that legal action would be taken against any government officials or employees found negligent in their duties.
Amidst these efforts, there have been reports of reluctance among employees assigned to the survey, with some teachers protesting their duties and other officials skipping the work. The Karnataka High Court has declined to halt the survey but imposed certain conditions for its conduct, while the Centre has raised concerns, referring to it as a ‘census cloaked as a survey.’
The Chief Minister clarified that the survey extends beyond the sole purview of the Backward Classes Welfare Department, calling for a collaborative effort. He directed DCs and CEOs to conduct daily progress reviews and stressed the necessity of seamless coordination among the Revenue Department, Panchayat Raj Department, and Urban Local Bodies.
Recognizing the sluggish pace in certain districts, he reiterated the call for acceleration. He advised DCs and CEOs to enlist teachers from aided schools if additional manpower is required, and urged district in-charge ministers to personally oversee the progress.
The extensive operation involves 1,20,728 enumerators covering 1,22,085 identified census blocks, all working towards the fixed completion date of October 7.
Emphasizing the mandatory nature of the task, the Chief Minister warned against any insubordination, stating that teachers assigned to the survey must complete their duties within the set timeframe. He underscored that this is a critical government responsibility and that disciplinary action would be taken against any enumerators found to be neglecting their work.
To incentivize participation, the Chief Minister confirmed that funds for honorariums for teachers involved in the survey have been disbursed. He appealed to both primary and high school teachers to engage actively in this important state initiative.
Further streamlining the process, the Chief Minister directed DCs to designate a district-level nodal officer for each taluk to ensure effective supervision of the survey.
He stressed the comprehensive nature of the survey, asserting that every family in Karnataka must be covered, and meticulous care should be taken to ensure no household is overlooked.
Addressing Locked Houses
For homes found locked during initial visits, the Chief Minister advised implementing measures to conduct the survey at these residences in the subsequent days, ensuring complete coverage.
Surveying Hilly Regions
To facilitate participation in remote and hilly areas, survey centers have been established in local schools. Residents can visit these centers to complete the survey, with an additional online participation option also made available, as confirmed by the Chief Minister.