Irrigation & Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy declared that the caste-based socio-economic survey conducted by the Congress government in Telangana was the most scientific, transparent, and accurate population study since Independence. He stated that this was the first-ever field-based caste survey undertaken after the 2011 Census, making all figures cited by opposition parties false and fictitious.
Addressing the media at Assembly Committee Hall on Wednesday before participating in a Power Point presentation by Planning Department Principal Secretary (Planning) Sandeep Kumar Sultania, State Nodal Officer & Hyderabad Collector Anudeep Durishetty, the minister emphasised that the government had ensured the highest level of accuracy in data collection. He, who headed the cabinet sub-committee for the caste survey, underscored that no authentic caste-based data had been compiled in the past, particularly for Backward Classes (BCs). Unlike previous studies, which were incomplete or unofficial, this was the first legitimate and detailed caste survey. The findings would help shape welfare policies by assessing the socio-economic conditions of different communities.
He rejected claims that similar surveys had been conducted earlier, pointing out that the Intensive Household Survey (IHS) 2014 was never made public by the previous BRS government and that even the KCR government did not endorse it as official data. He asserted that the survey conducted by the Congress government was the only genuine attempt to document caste demographics accurately and that no one could challenge its authenticity.
Later, Speaker Gadam Prasad Kumar, Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy, Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Uttam Kumar Reddy, Chief Whip Aadi Srinivas, MP Dr Mallu Ravi, along with MLCs and MLAs, attended the PPT presentation on the methodology and process adopted for the survey.
Once data collection was completed, processing and analysis were handled by the Centre for Good Governance (CGG) using advanced software. A total of 76,000 data entry operators were recruited to digitise responses within 36 days, utilising automated error detection mechanisms to ensure accuracy before categorising the data into four volumes covering state-wide statistics, rural and urban demographics, and caste-wise population figures. The survey also introduced “No Caste” and “No Religion” categories, ensuring inclusivity and accurate representation of Telangana’s diverse population.
BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar reiterated that the Congress government had undertaken an exhaustive process to collect this data. He said except for propaganda and fabricated statistics, the Opposition had nothing substantial to counter this authentic dataset.
Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy and Dr Mallu Ravi said, “With the survey now completed, the Telangana government aims to use this data for effective policymaking. The survey marks a landmark initiative in data-driven governance, ensuring equitable development and representation for all communities,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.