**Bengaluru: Karnataka Backward Commission’s Socio-Economic Survey Faces Challenges**
The socio-economic survey being conducted by the Karnataka Backward Commission is encountering significant hurdles, especially in rural areas. Technical glitches and reluctance among respondents to answer all the questions in the lengthy questionnaire are posing serious challenges.
Notably, opposition to the survey’s questionnaire has come from prominent figures as well. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Union Railways Minister V Somanna openly expressed their displeasure and refused to complete all the questions.
On Sunday, a team of senior officers visited Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar’s residence to assist the enumerators. Upon reviewing the extensive questionnaire, Shivakumar remarked, “too much.” He cautioned the officers that the general public would lack the patience to respond to such a lengthy survey. He also stated, “You should keep it simple and short. Besides, I would not like to divulge the details of many things, including the amount of gold in the house or cattle or sheep in the house.”
Later the same day, a team of nine officials approached Union Railways Minister V Somanna. After examining the questionnaire, Somanna appeared visibly displeased with certain questions, questioning the purpose behind collecting such detailed information. For some queries, he even suggested the enumerators seek answers from the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister directly.
Meanwhile, the survey implementation itself is facing operational difficulties. The Bengaluru survey only began last Friday, but enumerators are already protesting the areas assigned to them. Although teachers who are conducting the survey were asked to list 10 preferred locations—ideally near their homes or the schools where they work—none were allocated any of their chosen places. Most enumerators have had to travel 35 to 40 kilometers to begin their survey work.
In rural regions, the lack of online data connectivity has been a major technical obstacle. Residents are increasingly unwilling to provide information on paper forms, fearing delays and inconveniences before data can be uploaded via mobile signals.
The government had initially mandated the Backward Class Commission to complete the survey within 10 days, with the deadline set for Tuesday, October 7. However, so far, less than 65% of the rural survey and only about 30% of the Bengaluru survey have been completed.
Given these ongoing difficulties, the government is now considering extending the deadline for the survey completion.
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*Stay tuned for further updates on the Karnataka socio-economic survey and its progress.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/karnataka-socio-economic-survey-faces-hurdles-as-technical-glitches-hit-rural-areas