The Congress-led government in Telangana is moving forward with a comprehensive household survey, aimed at collecting detailed social, economic, and demographic data on all castes. While this initiative boasts to provide a thorough analysis of caste-based information, intellectuals and representatives of Backward Classes (BC) communities have raised serious concerns about its accuracy and credibility.
Questions are emerging about the validity of data collection methods, particularly in the absence of any preliminary studies to ensure accuracy. This has led to widespread skepticism, especially among the Most Backward Classes (MBCs) and Scheduled Castes (SC) sub-castes, as the survey’s final stickering phase begins.
Starting today, survey enumerators will go door-to-door, gathering data based on a comprehensive 75-question form that covers topics such as social, economic, educational, employment, and political status. The survey is scheduled to last about 10 days, with enumerators recording the information provided by each household without any prior verification of household eligibility or data accuracy.
Sociologists caution that this approach may lead to unreliable outcomes, as there is no mechanism for validating responses regarding caste, occupation, assets, and income. The survey’s implementation has also sparked specific concerns among SC sub-castes, MBCs, and nomadic communities.
Although the Telangana government recognizes 59 Scheduled Castes and 32 Scheduled Tribes, many SC communities face issues with outdated documentation practices. In several cases, official certificates are issued under the broader SC Mala and SC Madiga categories, excluding other sub-castes in the SC list from proper recognition.
BC communities, categorized under multiple groups (A, B, C, D, and E) encompassing 161 castes, face their own challenges. Compounding these issues, 23 castes were previously delisted from the BC categories, creating further confusion. Migrants from Andhra Pradesh who belong to BC castes have reportedly obtained valid certificates in Telangana, leading to concerns that discrepancies could emerge within the survey data.
The survey’s methodology has also left questions unanswered for nomadic castes, who may lack permanent housing and official records. Intellectuals from these communities argue that the current approach fails to address the practical realities of their situations, potentially leading to incomplete or inaccurate survey data.
As the survey proceeds, critics argue that the government’s failure to address these challenges could undermine the initiative’s credibility. Sociologists and representatives from affected communities are urging the government to take these concerns into account, ensuring that the survey results truly reflect the diverse demographics of Telangana.