Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Credit: DH File Photo
Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Sunday that the government would soon take measures to implement the socio-economic survey or the caste census report.
The report will be presented before the Cabinet, the chief minister said. He was speaking after inaugurating the Mysuru district BCM hostels’ senior students’ society, a first in the state, here.
Siddaramaiah said, “My previous government got the survey conducted to recognise and address the needs of those deprived of basic amenities, in order to uplift these marginalised sections of the society. Though the report has been received, its implementation has been delayed due to various reasons. Since 1930, caste-based data has not been collected as part of the national population census. Now, the debate on conducting caste census is gaining momentum in many states”.
He said, “In the academic year 2024-25, monthly scholarship for post-matric students will be increased to from Rs 1,750 to Rs 1,850. Currently, there are 822 Morarji Desai residential schools in the state and 20 more will be built this year. By next year, every hobli will have a residential school to ensure that children in rural areas receive good education. Students residing in hostels must be provided nutritious meals.
It was in 1977 that these hostels were started, to ensure that children from backward classes get access to education. Today, these hostels accommodate 1.87 lakh students. In order to help students who could not get admissions in hostels, we started Vidyasiri scheme to support them. Many students who stayed in the hostels and achieved success should extend support to those in need. Helping the weaker sections of society is the right way to pay back to the society. Those who think only of their families become self-centered. This mentality has contributed to the rise in the number of old-age homes”.
“Without a sense of scientific temper and social responsibility, education loses its purpose. Each of us must think about how we can contribute to the society,” the CM said.