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Key Points

The Election Commission of India is set to decide on action against government school teachers in West Bengal who are refusing Booth-Level Officer duties. This comes despite a recent Calcutta High Court order that found nothing objectionable about appointing teachers to these election-related roles. The teachers' reluctance is creating problems for election preparations ahead of the state's Assembly polls next year. The Chief Electoral Officer's office will send a detailed report to the ECI, which will then recommend the course of action.

Key Points: ECI to Act Against West Bengal Teachers Refusing BLO Election Duties

  • ECI to decide action based on a report from the West Bengal CEO's office
  • Teachers are refusing duties despite a Calcutta High Court ruling
  • Duties are crucial for upcoming Special Intensive Revision and Assembly polls
  • Opposition parties have also been vocal against appointing contractual staff as BLOs
2 min read

ECI to decide on action against teachers in govt schools in West Bengal refusing BLO duties

Election Commission to decide on action for West Bengal government school teachers refusing Booth-Level Officer duties despite Calcutta High Court order.

"if necessary, the teachers should even work on Sundays and holidays for the sake of national interest. - Justice Amrita Sinha, Calcutta High Court"

Kolkata, Sep 27

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will be deciding on the action against teachers in government schools in West Bengal who are refusing to accept duties of Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) allotted to them.

The duties as BLOs are being assigned keeping in mind the forthcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state at the end of the festive season in October as well as the Assembly elections scheduled next year.

The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kolkata, is scheduled to send a detailed report to the ECI on the teachers refusing to accept BLO duties despite being selected for the same.

Based on the said report from the CEO’s office, sources aware of the development said that the ECI will recommend actions against such teachers, which the CEO's office will then act upon.

“Several teachers in state-run schools have refused to accept BLO duties, despite a single-judge Bench of the Calcutta High Court last month ruling that there was nothing objectionable about the commission’s decision to appoint teachers of state-run schools as the BLOs.

"The single-judge Bench of Justice Amrita Sinha also observed that the country's legal provisions allow the assignment of election-related duties to teachers. However, even after that Calcutta High Court order, several teachers have shown reluctance in accepting BLO duties. Now the commission wants to act tough on them,” said an insider from the CEO’s office.

During the hearing in the matter on August 4, Justice Sinha also observed that if necessary, the teachers should even work on Sundays and holidays for the sake of national interest.

The CEO’s office insiders said that because of the reluctance of a large section of teachers to take up the work, the office of the CEO is facing problems in allotting BLO duties only to the permanent employees who are on the payroll of the state government, as directed by the ECI.

“On the other hand, the Opposition parties have been vocal against the appointments of contractual state government employees as BLOs. Now, the reluctance of the teachers to accept BLO duties is adding to this problem. So the matter will be brought to the notice of the commission, and thereafter the CEO’s office would act as per the direction of ECI,” the CEO’s office insider said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Election duties are important for democracy. If High Court has given the order, teachers should cooperate. Many government employees across India perform these duties during elections. It's for national interest after all.
R
Rohit P
This is typical of West Bengal politics. Teachers are caught between government and opposition. They're being used as pawns. The timing during festive season makes it worse. Durga Puja is biggest festival here! 🎪
S
Sarah B
While I understand teachers' concerns about workload, election duties are crucial for fair democratic process. Perhaps the ECI could provide better compensation and ensure it doesn't affect academic schedules significantly.
K
Kavya N
My sister is a teacher in WB government school. They're already overworked with online classes, paperwork, and now this. The government should listen to their genuine concerns instead of taking strict action. 😓
M
Michael C
Interesting to see how different states handle election duties. In many countries, election work is done by volunteers or specially hired staff. India might need to consider alternative models for the long term.
N
Nikhil C
The court has spoken clearly. Teachers are government employees and should follow orders like other departments do. Election integrity is paramount. Those refusing duties should face consequences as per rules.

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