Bengaluru, Sept. 12 -- At a time when it has cited an "empty treasury" for slowing or shelving several welfare programmes, the Karnataka government has decided to spend about Rs 450 crore on a fresh caste census - a move that has set off a major political storm in the state.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's administration, which has repeatedly accused the Centre of withholding Karnataka's share of revenue, has cleared funds for the largescale survey beginning September 22.
About 1.65 lakh enumerators will visit nearly two crore households over 15 days to gather data on caste composition. The initiative is being closely linked to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's push for a caste-based headcount.
Officials said the project was initially estimat...