BC Commission to prepare "action plan" to conduct socio-economic caste survey in Telangana

HYDERABAD: The Telangana BC Commission on Monday held a detailed discussion with experts on caste survey in Telangana. Similar surveys were conducted in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar.

Commission Chairman Dr.Vakulabharanam Krishna Mohan Rao discussed in-depth framing rules. He sought suggestions on questions to be included in the questionnaire.

A delegation of experts and intellectuals from the People's Committee on Caste Census urged the State BC Commission to consider their oral views and written proposals regarding the "Socio-Economic Caste Survey" (caste census) to be taken up in the State soon and submit a report to the Government so that appropriate action could be taken.

The Government asked the BC Commission to prepare a full-fledged "action plan" to start a specific "caste survey" in the social, economic, political, education, and employment sectors. The state Government decided to conduct a caste-based survey for SC, ST, and BC communities. With this background, the State BC Commission started working on finalising the modalities for the caste survey, designing a questionnaire and the methods to be adopted.

In this regard, State BC Commission chairman Krishna Mohan Rao, members Ch. Kishore Goud, and representatives of the People's Committee had a special meeting in Hyderabad. The delegation comprising Prof. Visweswara Rao, Prof. I. Thirumali, retired IAS officer Akunuri Murali, Prof. Simhadri, Prof. Padmajasha, Prof. Narendra Babu, Dr. S. Prudhvi Raj, Devalla Sammaiah, Satish Kotte and others gave their views and suggestions orally. Several objections were raised. Several research papers were presented.

In-depth discussions were held on caste surveys conducted in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar. The Chairman of the Commission, Dr.Vakulabharanam, briefed the delegation on the legal issues, public feedback, technical aspects, and software developed during the survey in the respective States.

The details of the study collected by the BC Commission across the country have already been provided in the form of various papers. Several issues were orally explained. The People's Committee expressed their happiness that the meeting was fruitful.

Chairman Krishna Mohan Rao said that as part of the preparation of the ongoing "caste survey" action plan, representatives of all sections, intellectuals, the public, and caste associations of the state would be invited soon. Dates would be announced in the coming weeks. He said that the views, and suggestions of all would be considered and reported to the Government constructively and rationally.