States told to deploy more to back BLOs

The SC on Thursday asked all States where the SIR process is underway to deploy additional staff for the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, after taking note of the difficult working conditions faced by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

- FPJ News Service

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the move was necessary to reduce the long working hours of those currently engaged in SIR work.

The Court also made it clear that if any BLO seeks exemption from duty for specific reasons, the State government must consider the request on a case-by-case basis and replace the person with another worker.

"State is obligated to provide the workforce in case there is a need to increase the same," the order stated.

Further, the Bench said that anyone seeking relief not covered in the order can approach the Court, Bar & Bench reports.