Telangana: Caste Survey Faces Hiccups, Moves Slowly

Hyderabad: Three days into the caste census, surveyors and residents in the GHMC area are facing unique problems. A government primary school teacher, an enumerator in the IS Sadan division, shared concerns about the tight schedule. The teacher stated that it was extremely challenging to balance a half-day teaching and a half-day survey.

With around 70 questions, enumerators said that many residents were refusing to share their personal details like Aadhaar and Dharani data, despite the government’s assurances of data confidentiality.

Another enumerator from IS Sadan noted that it took 45 minutes to one hour to complete the survey at each house, and many people do not have the time to share all the details.

Meanwhile, a GHMC staffer said that some people were worried about data breaches. Officials were advising people not to respond to messages or calls claiming to be from the GHMC, seeking data.

Moreover, female enumerators told Deccan Chronicle that they were worried about their safety, as they have to visit residents alone to collect information. They added that sending enumerators together would be safer. A woman surveyor, who requested anonymity, said she was taking her husband along for her safety.

The survey has received mixed responses from people as well. Shwetha Reddy, a resident of Saidabad’s Laxminagar Colony felt it would have been better if the survey was scheduled in the mornings or on Sundays to avoid disrupting their work. “I am also worried that my information could be mishandled. If the surveyor or anyone else can merely take a photocopy of the survey documents, all my family’s personal information would be out,” she said.

Sunanda, a homemaker from Uppuguda’s Shivajinagar, said that through the survey, she is expecting aid from the government as they belonged to the Backward Classes community.

A resident of Moosarambagh, who fully supported the census said, "Whatever the government does is for the people’s well-being, so I am sharing whatever information I can." Officials noted that informing residents to keep their details ready for the census survey, asking for their availability and arranging visits according to their availability has helped make the process smoother.