Data collection under lens, debate deferred to May 2

Bengaluru: The much-anticipated special cabinet meeting on the controversial Socio-Economic and Educational Survey — popularly called ‘caste census' — ended in anti-climax Thursday, with the state govt pushing discussions to its next sitting on May 2.
With pressure from dominant Vokkaliga and Veerashaiva-Lingayat communities which have dismissed the survey as ‘unscientific' and demanded a fresh exercise, the cabinet refrained from taking a conclusive stand. Refusing to bite the bullet, CM Siddaramaiah has asked ministers to submit their opinions in writing before the next cabinet discussion.
The cabinet is said to have discussed only 25% of the report, pointing to long-drawn deliberations ahead. "Neither the data on population nor the next step was discussed at the meeting," one minister claimed. Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed the discussions were inconclusive. Sources said minister-level discussions will be held informally to iron out the wrinkles before the May 2 meeting.
While the survey has stirred sharp disapproval from key social groups and within Congress, there remains vocal support from Dalit, OBC leaders and a few organisations. They have demanded that the govt release the findings, citing the Rs 160 crore spent on the project from public funds.
The two-hour meeting showed fault lines run deeper, though law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil maintained discussions were cordial with ministers trying to understand the survey-enumeration process. He said the meeting remained incomplete as several ministers sought more details from OBC department at the next discussion.
Patil said discussions largely focused on data-collection methodology. "For instance, parameters were sought on how the economic status of a person was calculated if he owned cattle. Whether it was the cattle itself or the products he was able to sell. Such questions require clarity," he said, confirming that the version of the report circulating in the media and the one presented to ministers was the same. He said the survey conducted in 2015 covered 94.1% of the state's population.
According to some ministers, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar and horticulture minister SS Mallikarjun — son of senior Congress MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa, who helms All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha — were among those who strongly objected to the data-collection process. Siddaramaiah reportedly defused tension by encouraging ministers to record objections or dissent in writing.
In the run-up to the meeting, Siddaramaiah separately met delegations of Vokkaliga and Lingayat ministers. The next regular cabinet meeting on April 24, at MM Hills in Chamarajanagar district, will restrict its focus to regional development matters.