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Bengal Officer Training in Limbo as ECI Scrutinizes Eligibility for Voter Revision

Doubts surround a two-day training program for West Bengal government officers meant to involve them in a voter list revision exercise, as the Election Commission of India scrutinizes their eligibility based on pay bands. The examination process may take significant time, potentially concluding only as the revision process itself nears its end. Meanwhile, the state government has alleged that vested interests are creating confusion, though it did not specify who. The ECI has extended deadlines for the voter list revision, with the final list now due on February 28, after which the full commission bench will visit Kolkata ahead of the announcement of assembly poll dates.

Key Points: ECI Delays Bengal Officer Training for Voter List Revision

  • ECI examining pay bands of 8,505 officers
  • Training delayed pending eligibility check
  • Voter list publication postponed to Feb 28
  • Full ECI bench to visit Kolkata post-revision
2 min read

Uncertainty over SIR training session for Bengal govt officials for inclusion in revision exercise

Uncertainty over training for 8,505 Bengal Group-B officers as ECI examines pay bands for eligibility in Special Intensive Revision of voter lists.

"the ECI is particularly stressing the examination of these in this matter - CEO's office insiders"

Kolkata, Feb 11

Doubts have emerged regarding the commencement of the two-day training programme for the 8,505 Group-B officers provided by the West Bengal government, aimed at their participation in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision within the state. This uncertainty arises as the Election Commission of India has not yet determined how many individuals from the state-provided list are genuinely qualified for inclusion in the revision process.

The ECI is now examining the pay bands of the names provided in the state government list to ensure their eligibility for inclusion in the revision exercise as Group-B officers.

Only after the examination process is over, the two-day training programme will be conducted for the shortlisted officers.

However, considering that the process of examining the pay bands of these 8,505 Group-B officers might consume some time, there is a possibility that by the time the final shortlisting is over, the SIR process will also be at its terminal stage, according to insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). West Bengal said.

Since pay-bands are considered the most authentic medium for determining the grade of government officers, CEO's office insiders said, the ECI is particularly stressing the examination of these in this matter.

In doubtful cases, the ECI might also have to refer to the state government for clarification, which will again consume some additional time.

Meanwhile, the state government has issued a loaded statement alleging that some vested interests have been trying to create confusion about the eligibility of the Group-B officers provided by the state government. However, from the statement, it is not clear who the government meant by "vested interests".

On Tuesday evening, the ECI extended the deadline for completion of the hearing sessions on claims and objections to the draft voters' list in West Bengal till February 21. Accordingly, the date of publication of the final voters' list has also been postponed to February 28 from the previously scheduled date of February 14.

The day after the publication of the final voters' list, the full bench of the ECI will arrive in Kolkata for a two-day visit to take stock of the post-SIR scenario. Soon after that, the polling dates for the Assembly election in the state will be announced by the ECI.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why is there always a blame game? The state says "vested interests", the ECI is checking pay bands... just do your jobs properly! These officers are crucial for the revision process. Delays now will just push everything back. Common citizens just want a smooth election.
R
Rohit P
Checking 8500+ pay bands? That's a massive task. The timeline is already tight with the SIR process. Feels like the training might happen when it's almost over, making it pointless. Poor planning all around. Hope the final voter list doesn't get compromised because of this administrative tussle.
A
Anjali F
Respectfully, the ECI's caution is understandable. In a sensitive state like Bengal, every step in voter list revision must be above board. Using pay bands to verify grade is the correct, transparent method. The state govt should cooperate fully instead of issuing vague statements.
D
David E
Watching from outside, this seems like a crucial bottleneck. If the training is delayed and the officers aren't properly prepared, the quality of the voter list revision suffers. The extension of the deadline is a good move to allow for proper checks, but the coordination needs to be better.
K
Karthik V
The whole point of SIR is to have an accurate list. Rushing officers through without verifying their eligibility defeats the purpose. Take the time, do it right. A fair election is more important than sticking to a rushed schedule. 👍

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