Caste Survey Enumerators Encounter Challenges

Hyderabad: Enumerators conducting a comprehensive door-to-door survey in Telangana are facing several challenges. The survey covers important areas like socioeconomic status, education, employment, political involvement, and caste. However, many people are reluctant to share certain details.

N. Srimani (name changed), an enumerator from Jagitial district, shared her experience. She mentioned that while people readily provide their Aadhaar and ration card numbers, they are hesitant to give details about their bank passbooks and land records. Some fear that sharing too much information might lead to them being excluded from the government’s welfare schemes.

Another enumerator, S. Ramachandram (name changed), observed that many people had previously received benefits like Rythu Bandhu, Aarogyasri, and pensions without much scrutiny. Now, they worry that revealing too many details might make them ineligible for these benefits in the future.

One of the more difficult aspects of the survey involves the question about religion. For example, a respondent identified as a converted Christian but insisted on being recorded under the SC (Scheduled Caste) category. Enumerators were instructed to simply record what the respondent says without verifying the details.

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In Nizamabad, some respondents were hesitant to share their sub-caste information and preferred to be listed only under the minority religion category. Similarly, people with agricultural land or home-based businesses were often unwilling to disclose details about the taxes they pay. While government employees were more likely to share their income tax information, others generally refused to provide it.

The state government has emphasized that the survey is intended to help plan and implement programs for the improvement of Backward Classes, SC and ST citizens, and other disadvantaged groups. According to N.S. Reddy, an enumerator from Nizamabad, the survey is crucial for understanding the needs of these communities.

However, convincing people to participate fully in the survey is a time-consuming process. Enumerators often spend one to two hours at a single house explaining the purpose of the survey and encouraging residents to provide the necessary information.

In some cases, when the men of the household are not present, women are even more reluctant to share details. They fear that giving too much information might disqualify them from schemes like Gruha Jyothi (LPG cylinder benefits) and pensions, or other benefits promised to women and their daughters.

Lastly, a teacher involved in the survey mentioned that no specific instructions were provided regarding immigrants from Bangladesh or other countries living in the city.

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