Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, May 17: Deputy commissioner (DC) Dr Vidya Kumari, informed that the ongoing house-to-house survey aimed at collecting data for the internal categorization of Scheduled Caste (SC) reservations has been extended till May 25, due to incomplete coverage in several districts.
DC Dr Vidya Kumari, addressing the media in the press meet held at DC office on May 17, said, “The survey, being conducted under the direction of the H N Nagamohan Das one-member commission, was originally scheduled between May 5 and May 17. With the extension, a camp mode survey will also be held from May 26 to 28, allowing individuals to visit designated centres and provide their information directly. For those unable to participate in person, the government has enabled an online data submission facility from May 19 to May 28, where individuals can upload their caste-related details by entering the RD number of their caste certificate.”
In Dakshina Kannada district, 96% of SC households have already been surveyed, with 14,941 out of 15,121 families covered. The district administration is aiming for 100% completion soon. However, nearly 1 lac non-SC household remain to be surveyed. Out of 3.16 lac households, over 2.5 lac non-SC homes have already been covered. Instructions have been issued to enumerators to complete the remaining surveys by May 25.
DC Dr Vidya Kumari also highlighted that 10% of the collected data is being verified by supervisors through random house visits. Information from the voter list is auto-fetched, while new households are allowed offline data entry.
There are 1112 enumerators involved in the district, and instructions have been given to ensure that even prominent citizens and elected representatives are not excluded from the survey. The survey app includes a pre-approved list of 101 Scheduled castes, as per the presidential notification. Citizens have been advised to select the appropriate caste name from this list, even if there is a slight variation in nomenclature. No new castes can be added at this stage.
The revenue and survey departments have launched a focused campaign to demarcate government lands, particularly those that are under unauthorized or regularized occupation. DC Dr Vidya Kumari informed that surveyors are now in the field, uploading land data including sanctioned survey numbers. Once uploaded, the information is pushed into the online system, after which surveyors conduct field verification.
DC Dr K Vidya Kumari urged citizens to cooperate with the process, as a separate survey number for each individual will help establish clear ownership. Failing to complete the survey now could result in such lands continuing to be marked as government property, and may eventually be reclaimed.
The government is currently offering this land demarcation service free of cost, and people are encouraged to make use of the opportunity. Clearing and preparing land in advance will also assist the surveyors in completing their work efficiently.