Karnataka Social and Educational Survey: Enumerators struggle amid long hours of work and hostile responses

The enumerators engaged in Social and Educational Survey under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits are quite baffled by the recent order by the authorities asking them to conduct the survey from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in order to complete the process within the stipulated time.

They said that they were being slapped with show-cause notices by the authorities for not meeting targets on one hand, while facing non-cooperation from the public on the other.

The Chief Secretary, in a letter to the Chief Commissioner of GBA on October 13, had said that only 30% of houses under GBA limits had been surveyed. “It is difficult to extend the survey period,” the letter read.

Letter to commissioner

The Chief Secretary had instructed the GBA Chief Commissioner and the five zonal commissioners to take immediate action to speed up the process. Following this, new timings for the survey had been set for the GBA area.

As on Wednesday, out of a total of about 46 lakh households to be surveyed under GBA limits, a little over 15 lakh had been surveyed (about 33%).

“We are working without breaks and holidays to finish work within the stipulated time. Now, to say we should work from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. is inhuman. This has put us under mental stress,” said an enumerator.

Another enumerator stated that there are multiple instances of having to visit one household multiple times to complete the survey. Blanket non-cooperation is also quite common, he said.

“When a family says they will not participate in the survey, we ask them to sign in the application in this regard as a record of their choice. They refuse and some even insult us,” said the enumerator. “There were also instances of physical attack, but when we brought them to the notice of supervisors, they simply did not believe us,” he said, adding that it would be better if the government provides them with body cameras so that what they through is believed by the authorities.

‘Public should understand’

Speaking to The Hindu, Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa said, “Our teachers are conducting the survey successfully amidst many difficulties. Cases have been registered against those who misbehave with the enumerators. If the officials unnecessarily harass the teachers during the survey, I will appeal to the government to take action against them. It is inexcusable if the people of Bengaluru refuse to vote or participate in such surveys. This survey is being conducted to bring social equality. The public should understand.”