Karnataka Initiates Surveys for Gender Minorities & Devadasi Women

Bengaluru, Sep 5 (PTI): The Karnataka government is embarking on its first-ever baseline survey of gender minorities across the state, alongside a re-survey of former Devadasi women in 15 districts. The initiative aims to obtain accurate data about their socio-economic conditions and facilitate social, economic, and educational rehabilitation, according to a statement from Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar’s office. The districts involved include Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Raichur, Koppal, Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Shivamogga, Ballari, and Vijayanagara.

Both surveys, overseen by the Karnataka State Women's Development Corporation, are set to commence on September 15 and will be completed within a 45-working-day timeframe, as detailed in a release issued on Thursday. Preparatory procedures for the survey's execution have already been finalized.

To streamline the process, the government has introduced two applications and established a helpline at 1800 599 2025. The gender minorities survey will take place at all taluk and district government hospitals statewide. Conversely, the former Devadasi women’s survey will be conducted at the Taluk Child Development Project Officers’ offices across the specified 15 districts.

Fieldwork for the Devadasi women’s survey will be conducted by officer-level personnel from the Devadasi Rehabilitation Project Unit.