Bengaluru: The socio-economic survey in Bengaluru, which began later than scheduled, has hit significant roadblocks, creating confusion and frustration among enumerators and residents alike. On the first day itself, hundreds of enumerators gathered at the Vyalikaval BBMP office to demand that authorities resolve the growing chaos.
The survey, designed to cover every household in Bengaluru over a period of 14 days starting October 4, requires enumerators to visit 300 houses each, asking detailed questions about every family member. With 60 questions in total 40 for individual members and 20 general questions for the household head enumerators noted that completing the survey takes at least 30 minutes to an hour per household, with larger families requiring even more time.
However, logistical and administrative issues have disrupted the process from the outset. Ward allocations, appointment scheduling, and technical issues with the survey app have led to widespread confusion. Many enumerators skipped reporting to the Vyalikaval office entirely, citing uncertainty about their assignments and lack of support from officials.
Key grievances of Bengaluru enumerators include:
- Ward allocation confusion: Ten wards could be chosen by enumerators locally, but many of their selections were overridden, assigning them to far-flung areas.
- Assignments for vulnerable groups: Disabled persons, mothers with children, and pregnant women were allocated to distant wards, causing additional hardship.
- Travel challenges: Enumerators from rural parts of Bengaluru were assigned to city wards, requiring travel of 20-40 km daily.
- Health exemptions ignored: Government employees with chronic illnesses, including heart conditions, were still mandated to conduct surveys, sparking anger over lack of exemptions.
- Ignored requests: Many disabled enumerators requested exemption, but authorities allegedly failed to respond.
- Technical problems: The census app has faced persistent glitches, slowing down the data collection process.
Enumerators confronted officials at the Vyalikaval BBMP office, demanding immediate corrective action. Reports suggest that GBA (Greater Bengaluru Authority) officials were eventually forced to acknowledge the issues. They have been granted two days to process the requests and resolve the problems, with enumerator applications being sent for review.
The protests underscore the scale and complexity of the survey, which aims to generate comprehensive socio-economic data for Bengaluru’s population. Officials emphasized that the survey is crucial for planning developmental schemes, targeting resources effectively, and understanding the city’s demographic and social patterns.
Despite its importance, the survey’s success depends heavily on proper logistical planning, effective communication, and technical support. Failure to address these issues could not only delay data collection but also compromise the quality and accuracy of the survey results.
With thousands of households to be enumerated in a short span, and with each survey requiring careful attention to detail, officials are under pressure to ensure smooth operations. Enumerators, meanwhile, hope that the administration will act swiftly, resolving travel, allocation, and technical issues so that they can complete the survey efficiently.
