Social and Educational Survey begins in GBA limits, over 22,000 households surveyed on day 1

After multiple delays, the Social and Educational Survey commenced on Saturday within the limits of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) area, with enumerators visiting households across the city’s five municipal corporations. On the first day, a total of 22,141 households were surveyed. 

Among the city corporations, the West Corporation recorded the highest participation with 7,082 households surveyed, followed by the North City Corporation at 5,987.

The survey, inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds charge of Bengaluru Development, faced a rocky start, with many enumerators staging a protest at the Malleswaram municipal office, citing personal challenges, including caring for ailing family members and health issues. Many others cited technical glitches and lack of cooperation from some residents during the survey. 

GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao acknowledged that some technical glitches, issues with location allotment, and other minor problems were anticipated during the first two days of the survey and said they would be addressed at the earliest. 

“Simplify it”

Mr. Shivakumar, who participated in the Social and Educational Survey at his residence in Sadashivanagar, admitted that the survey questionnaire could have been made simpler, particularly for urban residents, as they have less patience. “I saw the questions; they should have been simplified. People in urban areas have less patience,” he said.  

When asked about residents unwilling to participate, he said, “It is our duty to explain, and we will do it.” He called on people to participate in the survey to provide justice to future generations and further added that any technical glitches in the process would be resolved soon and that people would be able to submit information online.

He clarified that respondents cannot be compelled to answer sensitive or personal questions. “The court has said that you cannot be forced to answer such questions. If someone feels uncomfortable, they can choose not to respond to such questions. I have instructed surveyors to be sensitive while collecting data in the city,” he said. 

When asked about concerns that even the Deputy Chief Minister found the survey lengthy, taking an hour to complete, Mr. Rao said, “I cannot dispute what the DCM experienced. We will review the feedback and see how the process can be improved.”