Fresh caste survey to cost exchequer three time more than Kanthraj commission

BENGALURU: The fresh caste survey, which was approved by the state cabinet at a meeting on Wednesday, is expected to cost the exchequer more than three times what was spent on the exercise undertaken by the Kanthraj Commission.

It is estimated that the fresh survey, to be taken up from September 22 to August 7, will cost Rs 630-650 crore against the Rs 185 crore spent on the Kanthraj Commission survey and report. This also means that the government has all but dumped the findings of the Kanthraj Commission.

The OBC Commission has estimated that it will need Rs 600 crore for the fresh survey involving 1.65 lakh teachers who will act as enumerators. They have been offered higher remuneration for the exercise to be taken up during the Dasara vacation.

The expenses will include remuneration for the enumerators, cost of survey, vehicles, transport, etc and it will be submitted to the government soon for approval. However, only 16 days have been given to complete the survey, giving rise to suspicion whether the exercise can be completed so soon. The Kanthraj commission was given 50 days’ time for the survey.

The OBC commission estimates that it will need at least one month to carry out the survey and another month to prepare the report. It will also be looking to ensure that the mistakes of the previous survey are not repeated.