CM Siddaramaiah promises action on caste census report
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday promised action on the caste census report, which was submitted seven months ago, after tabling it before the cabinet.
Addressing an event organised by the Alumni Association of Hostels for Backward Classes in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said the caste census was necessary to identify the backward and deprived communities.
"The system where we come from should be changed. We are trying to bring that change. Our government conducted the social census to recognise and uplift the marginalised sections of society. I lost power (in 2018) and it was not implemented," Siddaramaiah said.
"Only recently we received the report. I will place it before the cabinet and get it implemented," the chief minister asserted.
He added that the caste census has long been a "principle" of the Congress party.
“Since 1930, caste-based data has not been gathered as part of the national population census. Now, discussions on conducting caste census are gaining momentum across many states,” Siddaramaiah noted.
The much-awaited Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, popularly known as the "caste census" report, was submitted to Siddaramaiah by Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Chairman K Jayaprakash Hegde on February 29.
The report has faced objections from certain sections of society and even within the ruling Congress.
Discussing the importance of education, the chief minister on Sunday said that true education must promote scientific thinking and foster responsible individuals.
Siddaramaiah also called upon those who have benefited from government programmes, particularly former students of hostels, to give back to society.
"Many of you have achieved success in your fields. Now, it’s time to extend your support to those in need. Helping the weaker sections of society is the true way to repay the debt we owe to society," he said.
He warned against the dangers of selfishness, stating that "those who think only of their families become self-centred, and this mentality has contributed to the rise in the number of old-age homes. We must all work together to bring about positive change in our society."
Siddaramaiah recounted the introduction of student hostels in 1977, a move that played a crucial role in the education of Backward Class students.
"Today, these hostels accommodate 1,87,000 students. Such efforts have ensured that children from underprivileged backgrounds have access to education," he said.
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UP: Misled by GPS navigation, car falls into river from partially constructed bridge, 3 dead
Bareilly (UP), Nov 24: Three people died when their car fell into the Ramganga river from a partially constructed bridge here on Sunday, police said, adding that they suspect the driver was misled by its navigation system into taking the unsafe route.
The accident occurred around 10 am on the Khalpur-Dataganj road when the victims were travelling from Bareilly to Dataganj in the Badaun district, they said.
"Earlier this year, floods had caused the front portion of the bridge to collapse into the river, but this change had not been updated in the system," Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said.
The driver was using a navigation system and did not realise that the bridge was unsafe, driving the car off the damaged section, the police said.
There were no safety barriers or warning signs on the approach to the damaged bridge, leading to the fatal accident, Shivam said.
Upon receiving information, police teams from Faridpur, Bareilly and Dataganj police station rushed to the spot. They recovered the vehicle and the bodies from the river, Shivam added.
The circle officer said that bodies had been sent for post-mortem. Further investigation into the matter is underway.
— Bareilly Police (@bareillypolice) November 24, 2024
