Karnataka SC survey: Flawed population projection, urban apathy, migration could be reasons for poor response in Bengaluru

As the enumeration of Scheduled Caste (SC) households in Bengaluru has just touched about 49% of the projected households, covered over the last month and a half, several reasons are now being attributed to poor coverage.
The Commission headed by retired Judge H.N. Nagmohan Das, which is monitoring the survey, the results of which would determine the internal reservation among the 101 SCs in the State, is now exploring reasons for poor response to even the online survey in the State capital. Less than 6,000 persons have completed the online survey, even though the commission had expected at least about three lakh persons to respond. On the other hand, the coverage across the State is 91%.
Flaw in projection?
'Several reasons are now being attributed to poor coverage in Bengaluru. The projected population was calculated on the anticipated annual growth at the rate of 1.5%, which may not have happened. With the City mostly having nuclear families, the size of the family may have shrunk over the years,' a source involved in the discussion told The Hindu. He added that there could have been actual 'reverse migration' from Bengaluru during Covid-19 after job losses. This seems likely considering that several districts have reported a higher population than what has been estimated.
While the estimated population of SCs in the erstwhile BBMP (now Greater Bengaluru Area) is 13.62 lakh, 6.62 lakh persons have been enumerated so far in the survey that commenced on May 5. The survey is scheduled to end on June 22. Across the State, against an estimated population of 1.16 crore, the survey has far covered 1.05 crore or about 91%.
Apathy main cause?
One of the biggest cause of worry has been apathy among SC households in Bengaluru. The source said that apathy is seen particularly among third or fourth generation beneficiaries of reservation. The commission is also aware that many have not disclosed their identity in urban settlements due to fear of stigma or a fear of being asked to vacate the premises in case of rented accommodation.
The survey, it is learnt, has been done well in about 700 slums in Bengaluru and settlements where SC population is high in number. 'The problem is in residential localities, extensions and apartments where people are not forthcoming.'
The commission, it is learnt, is also keeping migrant SCs from other states out of the purview of the survey since the SC list for each State differ. 'Ultimately, a correct picture of populations will emerge once the general census is conducted,' said the source.
Poor response for online survey
What has perplexed the H.N. Nagmohan Das Commission is a very poor response to online survey. Though there have been about 22,100 log-ins for online survey, only about 5,700 persons have completed it. The Commission is also looking at calling the participants whose survey is incomplete to complete their survey.
Sources said that the commission expected about three to four lakh persons to take online survey, especially in Bengaluru where IT literacy is high. It provided convenience to those who did not wish to identify their caste. According to sources, there could also be technical problems. 'Caste certificates older than a decade do not the unique RD number, which is must for online survey. The response has been far less than the expected three to four lakh.'
Do not extend deadline
There should be no further extension for the ongoing SC survey, Samajika Nyayakkagi Parishishta Jatigala Okkoota has urged.
The federation of SC communities, in a statement, said that extensions have already been given to the commission to complete the process. One more extension will unduly delay the process of coming up with recommendations on international reservation that the commission is tasked with, said Basavaraj Kowthal, convener of the federation. Former Minister and Congress leader H. Anjaneya has also made a similar demand.

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