Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 18: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader has said that during the social and educational survey organized by the State Backward Classes Commission from September 22 to October 7, there will be no issues if family members’ names are included in the ration card. However, for family members whose names are not on the ration card, or for those who do not possess a ration card, e-KYC will be mandatory. For this, everyone must ensure that their Aadhaar card is linked with their mobile number, he said.
He was presiding over an information workshop held at the Nethravathi Hall of Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat on Wednesday, attended by legislators and heads of various religions, castes, and communities.
Khader further explained that teachers appointed for the survey would require a maximum of one hour to collect information from each household. They are expected to collect data from 10 houses per day.
In response to a question by MLA Dr Bharath Shetty on how to confirm if the person visiting the house is an authorized official, Backward Classes Commission secretary Urmila clarified that only trained teachers with identity cards issued by the commission will visit houses for the survey. The collected data will be stored on the commission’s official website. Any confusion, objections, information, or suggestions can be submitted in writing to the commission, or through the helpline number 8050770004, or via the website kscbc.karnataka.gov.in.
Clarification on caste names
Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi, president of Bunts alias Nadavar Mahila Sangha, raised objections that in Dakshina Kannada district, they identify themselves as Bunts alias Nadavars. If ‘Bunt’ is entered under the caste column and ‘Nadavar’ under sub-caste, it would cause confusion in their numbers. Responding, secretary Urmila B. clarified that ‘Bunts’ should be entered in the caste column, and ‘Nadavars’ in the ‘specify’ section under other columns. This would be treated as a synonym and there would be no confusion.
Issue of Mogaveera and Mogera communities
Ashok Konchadi raised the issue that in Dakshina Kannada, Mogeras belong to the Scheduled Castes, but in Uttara Kannada, the Mogaveera fishing community has fraudulently obtained Mogera caste certificates. As many as 17,433 such fake certificates have been issued, resulting in injustice to genuine beneficiaries of reservation. He said several representations have been submitted on the matter. Secretary Urmila assured that the issue will be brought to the notice of the commission. Leaders also highlighted confusions related to the Gatti, Thiya, Mansa, Maniyani, and Jain communities.
MLC Dr Manjunath Bhandary, MUDA president Sadashiva Ullal, Beary Development Corporation chairperson Mamatha Gatti, deputy commissioner Darshan H V, ZP CEO Narvade Vinayak Karbari, Mangaluru police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, DCP Mithun, ADC Raju K, and AC Meenakshi Arya were present.
Information required during the survey:
• Ration card must be available
• Aadhaar card should be linked with mobile number
• Aadhaar cards of up to 9 family members can be linked to one mobile number
• Aadhaar-mobile linking can be done at Aadhaar enrollment centers, Gram One centers, Mangalore One centers, or post offices
• Voter ID information of all members above 18 years will be collected
• Surveyors will visit houses between 9 am and 5 pm; family members must ensure documents are available during this time
Survey process:
• Stickers will be pasted on houses
• 60-question forms will be distributed through ASHA workers
• Families must fill in the information in the forms
• Trained teachers with official ID cards will visit houses
• Data will be uploaded directly from mobile devices
• If family members are absent, information will be collected later via phone call
• Camps will be organized within Gram Panchayat limits in subsequent phases
Lack of prior preparation questioned
MLAs Vedavyas Kamath and Dr Bharath Shetty objected that stickers were pasted on houses without informing the public in advance, and despite instructions, many residents removed them. Even this meeting was informed only a day earlier. They said that when there is so much confusion regarding the survey, it is not right to conduct it without proper awareness. First, adequate information should be given to the public.
Responding, Speaker U T Khader assured that the suggestions and concerns will be brought to the notice of the Commission and necessary corrections will be made.