TUMKUR: A caste census to be taken up by the State Backward Classes Commission in November or December this year would also acknowledge ‘casteless’ people.
The census will have a column for those who do not want to be identified with a particular caste and those who married out of castes and religion.
Chairman of the Commission Kantharaju told reporters that there was a discussion on providing a column for those who wish to remain ‘caste-less’.
He said there will be 54 columns and 48 points in the Form No.3 which will seek the socio-academic backgrounds of people belonging to various communities.
The census is estimated to cost `117 crore. The expenses will be taken care of by the Centre and state governments.
As many as 1, 26,000 enumerators, including those who had taken part in the 2011 general census of population, employees of the respective district administrations and Zilla Panchayat will be part of this drive.
Teachers cannot be employed as there is no provision under the RTE Act. Unemployed graduates will also be roped in on remuneration basis, he said.
The Commission has mentioned 1,065 castes on its website. If anyone finds that a caste is not mentioned in the website, they may file an application along with documents to support it.
Deputy Commissioner S K Sathyamurthy, ADC Dr Anuradha and others were present.