Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara described the caste census as a "most scientific" initiative, stating that the cabinet will decide on its implementation after considering the views of all ministers.
This comes as various sections of society have opposed the survey report, labelling it "unscientific" and calling for its rejection and a fresh survey.
A special cabinet meeting held on Thursday to discuss the caste census report ended inconclusively, reportedly due to internal disagreements within the government.
The cabinet is scheduled to take up the matter again on May 2.
"All ministers have been asked to share their opinion, some of us have participated in the discussion during the cabinet, the discussion will continue, everyone will share their opinion. After hearing everyone's opinion, the cabinet will take a decision. It is going to be a cabinet decision, not individuals or the Chief Minister's," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters, he said some communities have expressed concern that their population strength has been shown less in the survey.
After reviewing the survey, Parameshwara described it as one of the "most scientific" exercises, highlighting that it even gathered details such as whether a borewell dug by an individual yielded sufficient water or remained dry.
"Signatures have been taken after gathering data from every household, and supervisor's signatures are also there. These data are available. 1.37 crore families were visited, and all the data with signatures are there," he added.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah requested all ministers share their opinions either in writing or verbally.
Karnataka's two dominant communities, Vokkaligas and Veershaiva Lingayats, have strongly criticised the survey. Objections have also emerged within the ruling Congress party.
Leaders and organisations representing Dalits and certain sections of OBCs have voiced their support, urging the government to release the report and proceed with its findings, emphasising that Rs 160 crore of public funds were spent on the exercise.
Addressing criticism from the opposition, which claimed the report was written "sitting at some corner", the home minister acknowledged their comments and assured that the government has taken note of the concerns raised.
The survey's primary objective was to assess the social, educational, and economic status of various communities.
"It is being discussed in the government, ultimately after accepting it, the government will prepare programmes and schemes based on it," he added.
Asked if the caste census data was so accurate, why the same data is not being used to provide internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SCs), instead of going for a fresh survey for that purpose, Parameshwara said the Justice H N Nagmohan Das Commission, which has been mandated to gather empirical data for internal reservation, will compare caste census data too.
The Nagmohan Das Commission has been given two months time for the survey, based on which the government plans to implement internal reservation among SCs. The internal reservation is aimed at slicing up the 17 per cent reservation matrix given to 101 scheduled castes.
(inputs from PTI)