Kerala HC nod for sample survey of communities, rejects NSS plea for comprehensive one

Kochi: The Kerala Government has rejected a plea to carry out a census of all communities in the state and a comprehensive survey of their socio-economic status. The government, which issued an order in this regard on March 13, also informed the Kerala High Court of its decision.

The census and comprehensive survey were recommended in 2019 by the Commission for Forward Communities headed by Justice A V Ramakrishna Pillai. However, considering the financial crisis faced by the state and the COVID-19 situation, a comprehensive survey was not possible, said the government in its order of March 13, which was submitted before the court.

The court was considering a petition filed by G Sukumaran Nair, general secretary of the Nair Service Society (NSS), against a sample survey being conducted by the state government instead of a comprehensive exercise.

According to the petitioners, the sample survey recommended by Justice M R Hariharan Nair — the present chairperson of the Forward Communities Commission — was a futile effort and could even be counter-productive in the long term. As per the sample survey, five forward caste families in each ward are studied and a report prepared.

After hearing both sides, the court ruled that it could not issue an order as the government had made it clear that a comprehensive survey was not possible. However, the petitioners can legally question the government order. They can also approach the government to carry out a comprehensive survey when the financial status of the government and the COVID-19 situation improves, said the court.

Earlier, the court had directed the government to make its stand clear on the comprehensive survey. The government had thrice sought time to take a decision on the matter and finally issued the order rejecting the proposal on March 13.

NSS to approach court again

Reacting to the developments, Sukumaran Nair alleged that the state government had a hidden agenda to sabotage the proposal for a comprehensive survey to identify the backward sections among the forward community people by conducting a sample survey. "The High Court order has checked that move," he said.

Moreover, it is ironic that the government had rejected the suggestion for a comprehensive survey citing financial constraints, while it has allotted money for a sample process, he added.

With the court making it clear that legal measures could be pursued, NSS will approach the court again on the matter, said Sukumaran Nair.