Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Oct 10: Jayaprakash Hegde, the former president of the Karnataka state backward classes commission has urged critics to thoroughly review the caste census report before criticizing it.

Jayapraksha Hegde, addressing media on October 9, responded to expected opposition, stating, “If they find any mistakes after reading, I will gladly accept their corrections. The report was formed based on information collected through house-to-house visits."

Jayaprakash Hegde, stated that he submitted the caste census report to chief minister Siddaramaiah on his final day in the office. Speaking about the development, Hegde emphasized that the commission had previously exerted pressure on the government to address this matter, but now it is the entire backward class community that is rallying for its resolution.

During a recent meeting, chief minister Siddaramaiah remarked that while a similar census was conducted during Kantharaj's tenure, the report had been rejected by the government at the time. However, under Hegde’s leadership, the comprehensive census report has been completed within three months and is set to be presented to the cabinet on October 18. "If accepted, this will become a permanent document," Jayaprakash Hegde stated.

Addressing concerns that certain communities have been grouped together, Hegde emphasized that only after reading the report will they fully understand its structure.

Addressing criticism that the report is outdated, Hegde clarified that all census reports rely on older data, and the current report is based on the 2011 census. "A new survey has been conducted at a cost of Rs 163 crore, and we request that the government accept this report," he added.