Lukewarm response marked the first day of the caste survey in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, which received only 43 requests through various channels on Sunday. Officials, however, expressed optimism that the numbers could rise in the coming days.
Also known as the Telangana Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste Survey or Comprehensive Door-to-Door Household Survey, the enumeration is being conducted a second time to fill up the gaps of the first spell. It will be open up to February 28, during which those who would like to enrol may approach the authorities. While the government claims that an estimated 3.1% population in the State could not take part in the survey, for GHMC, the gap hovers around 15%.
Those who wish to enrol may approach the Praja Palana counters, or alternatively, submit their details at the GHMC circle offices. They may also call the GHMC’s call centre at 040-21111111 and record their request to be enumerated, upon which the enumerators would visit the household.
For close to 24 lakh households in the city, only about 20 lakh have so far given their details for the survey. Majority of the balance were recorded as either unwilling or indifferent to part with the data. Many others reportedly said they had given the details at their native village, while over 70,000 households were marked as ‘door locked’.
“It is very difficult for the enumerators, who are mostly drawn from self-help groups, to visit all the households in the city within such a short time. If the results are to be accurate, enough time too should be given,” said an official under the condition of anonymity.
Another official said the enumerators were shooed away in the high-end localities and gated communities, while several others stayed away from the survey due to various apprehensions.
Published – February 17, 2025 09:18 pm IST
