The ongoing Socio-Economic and Educational Survey in Bengaluru has been met with widespread resistance, with more than 15 per cent of households reportedly refusing to participate. Entire apartment complexes have denied access to enumerators, creating major hurdles for the data collection process.
In several areas, including Banashankari, enumerators reported visiting multiple times without success. Out of 30 flats in one complex, only two residents agreed to provide information. Officials described a pattern of apathy and hostility spreading across the city.
Enumerators said that many citizens, particularly those who had migrated from other states and were not directly connected to Karnataka’s welfare schemes, showed disinterest or anger when approached. In some cases, surveyors were subjected to verbal abuse, with residents dismissing their work as unnecessary.
With less than 40 per cent of the work completed in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has extended the deadline for the survey from October 24 to October 31. The state government has also declared a short break for enumerators from October 21 to 23 for the Deepavali festival.
Survey officials cited technical problems and software updates during the survey as additional reasons for the delay. They recalled that a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court had directed states three decades ago to identify backward classes, emphasizing that such a task was not possible without citizen cooperation.
Justice Nagamohan Das urged residents to view participation in the survey as a civic duty and a step towards inclusive development, reminding them of the importance of contributing to accurate data collection.
(Source: The New Indian Express)
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