Household survey data will be used to formulate policy for weaker sections, Bhatti tells Council

Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has announced that the Congress government will use the integrated household survey report data in the policy formulation for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes , Backward Classes and other weaker sections.

Mr. Bhatti, responding to members’ questions in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, said the statistical data will be used in implementation of reservations in the local body elections and for allocation of funds in the Budget. This survey indicates beginning of new direction for governance based on integrity and transparency , he said. Elaborating further, Mr. Vikramarka said: “This survey is like a full body X-ray check upon the living conditions of various categories of people in the State. The survey makes it clear that the government is committed to the development of Backward Classes in the State.”

Referring to TRS leaders’ comment that they had completed the household survey report on the same day in six hours, Mr. Vikramarka said that no one knew what they had done with the survey report. If the then TRS government had done it officially, they should have presented the report in the Legislature or made a public statement about the survey report. Mr. Vikramarka said that the resources in the State and the wealth will be utilised for development based on the survey report. Those who are backward in the political, educational and economic spheres will be identified and the resources will be used for the progress of those sections.

Taking a dig at the TRS leaders, he said as the TRS leaders have no intention of seeking development of weaker sections, they will not have faith in the survey taken up by the Congress government. The survey schedule was formulated after taking the opinions of various people’s organisations, social scientists and other partners. House listing schedule, survey schedule were released and guidelines were issued to the enumerators. While there was a total of 57 questions, information was sought at the field level regarding social, economic , educational, employment, political and caste related parameters on total of 75 questions including additional questions and sub questions. Mr. Vikramarka said that the survey was completed in 50 days and by the time survey was completed, 66,99,602 families in rural areas, 45,15,532 families in urban areas were covered totalling to 1,12,15,113 families.