Page 94 - USA BOOK FINAL PDF---08-09-2020web-1_Neat-final

The terms of references of the Miller Committee as it was popularly known as, was” To
investigate and report on the questions as to what steps should be taken to encourage
the members of the important communities other than the Brahmin community to seek
employment under the Government in larger numbers”. The Committee also was asked
to consider the following questions, namely :

1) Changes needed, if any, in the existing rules of recruitment in the public service.

2) Special facilities to encourage higher and professional education among members
of the backward communities.

3) Any other special measures which may be taken to increase the representation of
the backward communities in public service, without materially affecting efficiency;
due regard being paid also to the general good accruing to the State by a wider
diffusion of education and feeling of increased status which, it is expected, will
thereby be produced in the backward communities .
1
The appointment of the Miller Committee report at once changed the socio-political
scene in the state. A prolonged discussion for and against the formation of the
Committee took place. Vernacular press took active part in the debate. The Vokkaligas
whole heartedly welcomed the move of the Government. There was great expectation
among the Vokkaliga leaders. From this date onwards an aspirational change among the
Vokkaligas became apparent. They started aspiring to possess education, which would
open up the doors for Government jobs.

The Committee in the first place defined the backward communities. The Committee
said that a particular community having less than 5% of literates in English was to be
considered as backward. Though the Indian Christians, Mudaliars, Pillais had more than 5%
2.
of literates in English they were for certain reasons included under backward communities
The Europeans and Anglo-Indians were excluded from backward communities list. This
Committee undertook a thorough survey of all Government posts held community
wise and arrived at certain conclusions taking into consideration the representation of
major communities in Government jobs in relation to the percentage of that particular
community in the population of the State. The Committee submitted its report in July
1919. It was not an unanimously approved report, but a note of dissent by M.C Ranga
3
Iyengar . The most important recommendation of the Committee was that in the next 7
years 50% of all Government positions in Head Offices and District Offices were to consist
50% of men from non-Brahmin communities. This excluded the post held by Europeans.
The Committee also had recommended that to reach 50% of posts held by backward
communities by 1926 the administration can also invite candidates from outside Mysore
State. Though this recommendation was not accepted by the Government, the Vokkaliga
Community was alerted by such a recommendation and also the opportunity that the
recommendation of the Committee had provided for non-Brahmins seeking Government
jobs. Though there were posts for backward classes few takers were there, because not
many were qualified or possessed the required minimum qualification. This prompted
many Vokkaliga leaders to undertake the task of spreading education among men and
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