**ECI to Take Action Against West Bengal Government School Teachers Refusing BLO Duties**
*Kolkata, Sep 27:*
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to decide on measures against teachers in West Bengal government schools who are refusing to accept duties as Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) assigned to them.
**Purpose of BLO Assignments**
The BLO duties are being assigned in preparation for the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state, scheduled at the end of the festive season in October, as well as the Assembly elections slated for next year.
**Report from CEO Office**
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office in Kolkata is preparing to send a detailed report to the ECI documenting the refusal of several teachers to accept BLO responsibilities despite being selected. According to sources familiar with the matter, following receipt of the report, the ECI will recommend appropriate actions against those teachers, which the CEO’s office will implement.
**Calcutta High Court Observations Ignored**
“Several teachers in state-run schools have refused BLO duties despite a recent Calcutta High Court single-judge bench ruling that there is nothing objectionable about appointing teachers as BLOs,” said an insider from the CEO’s office.
Justice Amrita Sinha, who presided over the bench, had observed that the country’s legal framework permits assigning election-related duties to teachers. However, even after this clear directive, many teachers remain reluctant to accept the roles. The commission now aims to take strict action against the defaulters.
**Judicial Guidance on Duty Timings**
During the August 4 hearing, Justice Sinha emphasized that, if necessary, teachers should be willing to work on Sundays and holidays in the national interest.
**Operational Challenges for the CEO Office**
Insiders from the CEO’s office revealed that the reluctance of many teachers to take up BLO duties is causing significant challenges in assigning these responsibilities solely to permanent state government employees, as mandated by the ECI.
Compounding the issue, opposition parties have voiced objections to appointing contractual state government employees as BLOs. The teachers’ refusal is adding to the complexity of the situation.
The CEO’s office plans to bring this matter to the ECI’s attention and will proceed according to the commission’s directions.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/eci-to-take-action-against-west-bengal-govt-school-teachers-refusing-blo-duties