By Admin 
Amidst the political turmoil over the SIR of voter list being conducted in many states of the country, the teachers’ organization associated with the RSS has also raised questions. All India National Educational Federation (ABRSM), associated with the union, has demanded extension of the time limit of SIR. The organization has clearly said that it is impractical to complete the work of SIR in such a short time. Besides, a demand has been made to give a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family members of the BLO who died and to give a government job to his dependent.
It is also said that the Election Commission has not made people aware about SIR, due to which both BLOs and voters are facing problems. Referring to the time limit and lack of resources and the attitude of the officials, it has been described as a violation of human rights of the teachers working as BLOs.
What demands did the organization associated with the Sangh put forth in the letter written to the EC?
Raising questions, it has been said that this kind of functioning of the Election Commission is not in accordance with the ethical norms in democratic institutions. The federation has written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner demanding extension of time period for the SIR process. Mainly 6 major demands have been put forward through the letter-
- There has been a demand to extend the last date of SIR, so that this work can be done in a precise manner and with quality without any pressure.
- Ex-gratia compensation of Rs 1 crore should be given to the families of BLO teachers who died untimely death or committed suicide due to pressure from SIR and a government job should be given to one dependent. There should be a high level inquiry into the cases of BLOs who have committed suicide or fallen ill due to work pressure and action should be taken against the guilty officers.
- Technical assistants, computer operators or BLO associates should be made available at every booth or block. For this, selection can be made from among trained youth, computer science students or youth receiving unemployment allowance. BLOs should be provided with 5G network facility, tablet or laptop, traveling allowance and other necessary resources.
- Clear instructions should be given to the officers that they should refrain from any kind of threat, harassment, abusive language or punitive action.
- BLO teachers should be given respectable additional honorarium as per their workload and challenges.
- Additional BLOs should be deployed in inaccessible hilly, desert and remote places where there is more problem.
Letter sent on 24 November
This letter has been sent on 24 November. It is also said that this time due to technical and administrative problems, BLOs are facing a lot of difficulties in working. BLOs are working in very difficult conditions. Four major problems have been placed before the Election Commission. It has been said that due to lack of technical facilities and pressure and harassment from officials, the teachers working as BLOs are under mental pressure.
Allegation of abusive behavior with BLO also
It also says that the officers are behaving humiliatingly, which is not only a blatant violation of the human rights of teachers but is also disturbing to them. This type of functioning is not at all in accordance with the ethical standards in democratic institutions. Highlighting the technical flaws and lack of resources, it has been said that the BLO app and portal are crashing again and again. There is a problem in connectivity. Network is not available in remote areas. BLOs have to work with their own resources. There is a problem in online verification.
‘The pressure that the officials are putting is not at all appropriate’
;In the letter written to the Election Commission, it has also been said that the pressure that the officials are putting to complete the practical target on time is not justified at all, it is against the respect of teachers and is harassment of them. This is also not in accordance with the dignity of elections. Even after asking for two decades old records, questions have been raised through letters.
General Secretary of the organization, Professor Geeta Bhatt said, “It is hoped that the Election Commission will take this letter into cognizance.” Will pay attention to the problems raised through this and will definitely extend the time limit. However, after the RSS affiliate organization raised questions and demanded extension of time limit for SIR, a fresh debate has erupted on this issue. There is now a possibility of further heated politics on this issue.