From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Nov 27: In a novel initiative, Karnataka’s Social Welfare Department has decided to rope in celebrities in different walks of life to create public awareness among the people on the significance of the state-wide caste census being carried out in December.

Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya told reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday that would launch a massive state-wide publicity campaign to ensure the success of the caste census.

The minister held a video-conference with Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of ZPs across the State in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

He said a huge publicity drive would be carried out to caste census through print and electronic media.

All Deputy Commissioners and CEOs of ZPs have been instructed to conduct census on mission mode and complete in two months in all 1.26 lakh blocs in the State.

A total of 1.25 lakh personnel drawn from various departments, retired teachers and employees would be enrolled as enumerators for the mammoth exercise.

The final dates of census would be announced soon by Chief Minister, he said.

A sum of Rs 5,500 would be paid for each enumerator who would collect data about social and educational backwardness of castes.

There are 1.28 crore households in the State and the enumerators would cover all households, he said.

A sum of Rs 117 crore had been allocated for the exercise and already Rs 35 crore had been released. Findings of census would be known by March 2015.