Sun Feb 09 16:12:17 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Ministers Vow to Publish Caste Census, Highlight Welfare Schemes at Valmiki Jatra

**Belagavi, Karnataka – February 9, 2025** – Karnataka ministers pledged their commitment to publishing the long-awaited socio-economic survey, also known as the caste census, during the Valmiki Jatra in Rajanahalli, Davangere district on Sunday. Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who inaugurated the event, emphasized the survey’s importance for social welfare planning, stating that it was completed at a cost of ₹160 crore. He criticized the opposition to its release, suggesting it emerged only after the report’s completion, and targeted former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for failing to address the Bedar Nayak community’s demands. The minister also promised state support for the Valmiki Gurupeetha in establishing a medical or engineering college.

Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa announced plans to fill all backlog vacancies in the state government and highlighted Karnataka’s legislation mandating 24% of the budget for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes welfare.

BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai criticized the government’s delay in implementing the Kantharaj and Justice Sadashiva Commission reports. Other speakers, including Minister Satish Jarkiholi and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, focused on welfare initiatives for tribal communities and the Union government’s direct benefit transfer scholarship program, respectively.

Actor Shashi Kumar and former Chief Jail Superintendent Veerendra Singh received awards at the event, which was attended by leaders from various political parties.

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