GHMC literacy survey sparks row, people question authenticity

Hyderabad: The GHMC's literacy survey has sparked controversy after the data collection work, which began on 24 February, gained the ire of the public for lack of awareness among citizens regarding the same.

Several citizens alleged that the enumerators, who had come to conduct the survey in their household, do not have proper authorisation from the GHMC. “Amidst discussions around the National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), it is alarming to see such random surveys happening. This is the first time I've seen such a survey. Why is it being conducted so suddenly?” asked one citizen, a resident of Barkas near Chandrayangutta.

In a video posted on social media, two citizens further questioned the enumerators about why private teachers were taking up the job that the government or GHMC is supposed to undertake.

Speaking to NewsMeter, one of the teachers who was an enumerator said, “I got to know about this survey from one of my self-help groups. The officers called us, so we went for duty. Since it was decided all of a sudden, we did not get time to get the proper signature, seal, and other authorizations necessary.”

Another teacher involved in the data collection said she was not aware that there was no authorisation on her ID card. “I came to know about this job through a relative who said that I will be paid Rs. 250 per hour. I am a private school teacher and don’t know much about this. Some people are making a huge ruckus regarding this, which I don't understand,” she said, on condition of anonymity.

The survey was launched at the behest of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhara Rao to achieve 100 per cent literacy and will be conducted till 4 March. As many as 17,365 persons were identified as illiterates on the first day of the survey, which is being conducted by the Urban Community Development (UCD) wing of the GHMC.