What Happened to the BLO Who Suffered a Cerebral Attack During SIR Work in Hooghly District?
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Synopsis
A female Booth Level Officer in West Bengal suffered a cerebral attack while working on the Special Intensive Revision ordered by the Election Commission. This incident follows another tragic suicide attributed to work pressure, raising serious concerns about the demands placed on election workers in the state. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for a halt to the current process.
Key Takeaways
- Tapati Biswas suffered a cerebral attack while working on the SIR.
- The incident follows a previous suicide linked to work pressure.
- Calls for immediate action from the Chief Minister highlight the need for reform.
- Workload and mental stress among election officials are critical issues.
- The Election Commission's practices are under scrutiny.
Kolkata, Nov 20 (NationPress) Following the tragic suicide of a female Booth Level Officer (BLO) attributed to the overwhelming workload from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal, yet another woman BLO has experienced a cerebral attack during the mandated exercise by the Election Commission of India.
Authorities reported that the BLO was rushed to the hospital in critical condition in the Konnagar area of Hooghly district after suffering a cerebral attack while engaged in her duties.
The individual, named Tapati Biswas, encountered the attack while she was in the process of distributing the SIR forms on Wednesday afternoon, as per police statements provided on Thursday. Currently, the left side of her body is numb, and she is receiving treatment at the Konnagar Municipality Hospital.
The police further identified Tapati Biswas, a 60-year-old Anganwadi worker residing in Nabagram, Konnagar Municipality. She held the position of BLO for Booth No. 279 within the Uttarpara Assembly constituency.
Her husband, Prabir Biswas, expressed concerns regarding her exhaustion from managing the distribution of enumeration forms, collecting completed forms, scanning QR codes, and uploading them online. He noted that she had been struggling to sleep at night due to the immense workload and pressure, coupled with frequent calls from superiors urging her to expedite form submissions.
"A total of 1,160 enumeration forms were distributed at that booth, with 45 still pending. I advised her to stop working as a BLO due to her illness, but she insisted she would lose her job if she failed to complete the distribution. The ongoing mental stress from relentless calls for faster submissions contributed to her condition, leading to the cerebral attack during her work hours," said her husband.
Tapati has a daughter, and her husband, Prabir, is a retired worker from Hastings Jute Mill in Serampore.
This incident comes in the wake of a previous tragic event involving a female BLO who took her own life due to alleged work-related stress during the SIR process in the state.
The earlier case occurred in the Mal Bazar region of Jalpaiguri district in northern Bengal. The deceased's family claimed she chose to end her life as she could no longer withstand the pressure associated with SIR responsibilities.
In response to the situation, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the Election Commission regarding the suicide of the female BLO.
On her social media platforms, Banerjee asserted that approximately 28 individuals have died in the state since the Election Commission initiated the SIR of Bengal's electoral rolls.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister urged the Election Commission to terminate this unstructured drive in order to preserve lives within the state.
Point of View
It's critical to recognize the dire implications of excessive work pressure imposed on election officials. The incidents in West Bengal reflect broader systemic issues that need urgent attention. The state must prioritize the well-being of its workers to prevent further tragedies and ensure a fair electoral process.
NationPress
20/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the cerebral attack of the BLO?
The cerebral attack was reportedly induced by overwhelming workload and pressure from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process mandated by the Election Commission.
What actions has the Chief Minister taken regarding these incidents?
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticized the Election Commission and called for a cessation of the SIR process to protect the lives of workers.
How many people have reportedly died due to work pressures in West Bengal?
According to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, approximately 28 individuals have died since the initiation of the SIR process.
