Telangana’s Caste Survey Most Authentic And Accurate, Says Uttam Kumar Reddy

Speaker, Council Chairman attends PPT on caste survey methodology, findings
BC population percentage has increased compared to previous figures: Uttam

Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy declared that the caste-based socio-economic survey conducted by the Congress government in Telangana was the most scientific, transparent, and accurate population study since Independence. He stated that this was the first-ever field-based caste survey undertaken after the 2011 Census, making all figures cited by opposition parties false and fictitious.

Addressing the media at Assembly Committee Hall on Wednesday before participating in a PowerPoint presentation by Planning Department Principal Secretary (Planning) Sandeep Kumar Sultania, State Nodal Officer & Hyderabad Collector Anudeep Durishetty, the minister emphasised that the government had ensured the highest level of accuracy in data collection.

Uttam Kumar Reddy, who headed the cabinet sub-committee for the caste survey, underscored that no authentic caste-based data had been compiled in the past, particularly for Backward Classes (BCs). Unlike previous studies, which were incomplete or unofficial, this was the first legitimate and detailed caste survey. The findings would help shape welfare policies by assessing the socio-economic conditions of different communities. He assured that the data was reliable and free from political influence, as government staff had carried out the entire exercise.

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The minister rejected claims that similar surveys had been conducted earlier, pointing out that the Intensive Household Survey (IHS) 2014 was never made public by the previous BRS government and that even the KCR government did not endorse it as official data. He asserted that the survey conducted by the Congress government was the only genuine attempt to document caste demographics accurately and that no one could challenge its authenticity. “Nobody can challenge us. These are the only real figures, and there is no need to be defensive. We are speaking the truth,” he declared. He called for countering the propaganda by opposition parties and said that anybody questioning the survey should be refuted with facts.

He claimed that there was no official data on any caste except for the 2011 Census. He said SC categorisation was even based on the 2011 Census. Uttam Kumar Reddy clarified that the BC population percentage has increased compared to previous records. The BC population percentage, which was recorded at 51.09% during the BRS regime, has now risen to 56.33%. Similarly, the Scheduled Tribes (ST) population percentage increased from 9.8% to 10.45%, while the Other Castes (OCs) population percentage decreased from 21.55% to 15.79%. He strongly condemned the opposition leaders for falsely claiming that the BC population percentage has decreased. “When no genuine study was conducted on BC population, which figures are the opposition parties using to compare the existing numbers?” he asked.

Later, Speaker Gadam Prasad Kumar, Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy, Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Uttam Kumar Reddy, Chief Whip Aadi Srinivas, MP Dr Mallu Ravi, along with MLCs and MLAs, attended the PPT presentation on the methodology and process adopted for the survey.

The survey was executed meticulously, with over one lakh trained personnel deployed for data collection. The government divided the state into 94,261 Enumeration Blocks (EBs), covering approximately 150 households each. Enumerators, mainly government employees and teachers, received extensive training to ensure consistency in data collection. The process was completed within 50 days, demonstrating efficiency in large-scale data gathering. The formation of new Enumeration Blocks was essential due to urban expansion and migration trends, ensuring an updated and accurate count. The survey involved two phases: a house-listing phase (November 6-8, 2024) to identify and register households, followed by the main data collection phase (November 9-December 25, 2024). Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma became the first respondent, marking the survey’s historic significance.

The survey design underwent multiple revisions before receiving final approval from the Cabinet on October 26, 2024. The Planning Department incorporated inputs from social scientists, policymakers, and various stakeholders, finalising a questionnaire covering 57 primary questions and 75 data fields. Real-time monitoring, daily updates, and twelve high-level review meetings ensured smooth execution. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy chaired three of these meetings to personally oversee the survey’s progress.

Despite challenges such as 1.03 lakh locked houses and 1.68 lakh initially unwilling respondents, the government undertook extensive follow-ups through phone calls and repeated field visits to maximise coverage. Additionally, 84,137 misclassified households were reviewed and corrected where possible. The High Court upheld the legality of the survey, dismissing opposition litigations and reinforcing its necessity.

Once data collection was completed, processing and analysis were handled by the Centre for Good Governance (CGG) using advanced software. A total of 76,000 data entry operators were recruited to digitise responses within 36 days, utilising automated error detection mechanisms to ensure accuracy before categorising the data into four volumes covering state-wide statistics, rural and urban demographics, and caste-wise population figures.

The survey also introduced “No Caste” and “No Religion” categories, ensuring inclusivity and accurate representation of Telangana’s diverse population. He dismissed electoral roll figures as unreliable due to duplication and the absence of Aadhaar linkage, emphasising that the urban-rural migration and Andhra-Telangana demographic shifts made voter lists an unreliable population estimate. He further highlighted that previous elections were based only on BC voter lists, which was inaccurate BC population data. This survey, he stated, is the first time a BC-specific caste enumeration has been undertaken, making it critical for future electoral and policy decisions.

Speaking during the presentation, BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reiterated that the Congress government had undertaken an exhaustive process to collect this data, unlike previous administrations that relied on unofficial and misleading figures. He said that except for propaganda and fabricated statistics, the opposition had nothing substantial to counter this authentic dataset. “We engaged over one lakh trained government staff in an extensive process. We must be confident in these figures,” he said. He dismissed earlier attempts like the Samagra Kutumba Survey, stating that it was not official and lacked reliable data. “The opposition has nothing except misleading and false figures,” he added.

Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy acknowledged that concerns always arise with surveys, but he emphasised that such figures should be analysed carefully. Dismissing false propaganda about the reduction in BC population, he asked, “How can the BC or any caste population go down? Who would have any personal interest—enumerators or the government?” He noted that while a few individuals might have concealed their details, the government now had a comprehensive dataset of Telangana households.

Dr. Mallu Ravi suggested that similar presentations be held across the state to educate the public about the survey’s authenticity. “With the survey now completed, the Telangana government aims to use this data for effective policymaking. The survey marks a landmark initiative in data-driven governance, ensuring equitable development and representation for all communities,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.

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