Udupi: The district is gearing up for the social and economic survey of families being conducted by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission across the state. Deputy commissioner Swaroopa TK has directed officials to make systematic preparations and ensure the success of the exercise.Addressing a meeting via video conference at the DC office in Rajatadri in Manipal on Thursday, the DC said that in the district around 3.2 lakh families, 1.1 lakh in urban areas and 2.1 lakh in rural areas, must be covered in the survey. “No family should be left out of the survey. Since most households have electricity connections, homes can be identified using RR meter numbers, ensuring that all residents are included,” she said. In the first phase, electricity meter readers have been tasked with preparing lists of families, after which stickers will be affixed to houses for geo-tagging. Mescom has been instructed to complete geo-tagging by Sept 10. For families living in unauthorised buildings without RR numbers, officials must prepare a separate list and arrange geo-tagging through village accountants and panchayat development officers, she added.The survey will be carried out by schoolteachers using a specially developed mobile application. NSS volunteers will also be involved in spreading awareness about the programme. Nodal officers have been appointed for each taluk to oversee the process. The DC informed that each enumerator will be required to visit 80-100 households in person to collect data.State-level training for master trainers is scheduled for Monday, while district-level training will be held from Tuesday to Sept 11. She stressed that all officials and staff must strictly adhere to govt guidelines and instructions related to the social and educational survey. Additional deputy commissioner Abid Gadyal, assistant commissioner Rashmi, and backward classes welfare department officer Hakappa R Lamani were present at the meeting.
