What Happened to the Woman BLO in West Bengal After a Cerebral Attack?
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Synopsis
In a concerning incident, a female Booth Level Officer in West Bengal suffered a cerebral attack while on duty, prompting calls for better support for election workers. Her family highlights the strain of excessive workloads, raising questions about the safety of electoral processes.
Key Takeaways
- Tapati Biswas suffered a cerebral attack during election duties.
- Her condition reflects the stress and pressure on electoral workers.
- Calls for better support and financial assistance for affected families are growing.
- The incident follows a suicide linked to work pressure in the same sector.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticized the Election Commission for its handling of the situation.
Kolkata, Nov 20 (NationPress) A female Booth Level Officer (BLO) in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, who suffered a cerebral attack while engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work, has been relieved of her election responsibilities, her family confirmed on Thursday.
Tapati Biswas, 60, an Anganwadi worker and BLO for Ward 19 of Konnagar Municipality, collapsed while distributing SIR forms. She sustained a head injury and was admitted to Konnagar Municipality Hospital, where doctors reported that the left side of her body is paralyzed due to the attack.
Her husband, Prabir Biswas, alleged that excessive workload and constant pressure from higher authorities contributed to her condition.
“She was exhausted from distributing forms, scanning QR codes, and uploading data online. She barely slept and kept receiving calls to submit forms,” he lamented.
Serampore Sub-Divisional Officer Shambhudeep Sarkar visited the hospital and assured the family of assistance. Police officials also met with the patient.
While her condition is reportedly stable, the family claims they are bearing treatment costs as the state has not provided financial support.
This incident follows the tragic suicide of another female BLO in Jalpaiguri district, allegedly due to work pressure during the SIR exercise.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticized the Election Commission, claiming that 28 deaths have occurred since the revision drive began and urged the Commission to pause the “unplanned” process to prevent further tragedies.
Point of View
This incident underscores the urgent need for addressing the mental and physical well-being of election workers. The increasing pressures from electoral duties can lead to severe health consequences, highlighting a critical area for reform within electoral processes.
NationPress
20/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Booth Level Officer (BLO)?
A Booth Level Officer (BLO) is an official responsible for overseeing the electoral process at the polling booth level, ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and efficiently.
What caused the health issue for the BLO?
The health issue was reportedly caused by excessive workload, stress, and pressure associated with distributing election forms and data management.
What support is available for election workers?
Support for election workers varies by region, but it typically includes training, resources for managing workloads, and medical assistance in case of emergencies.
