The West Bengal government has announced financial assistance for booth-level officers (BLOs) who fell ill or died while performing duties related to the ongoing revision of the voter list. Sources in Nabanna, the state secretariat, confirmed that the families of two BLOs who died during election-related work will receive ₹2 lakh each. Additionally, a worker who suffered a cerebral attack while on duty in Konnagar will be provided ₹1 lakh.
According to senior officials, the decision reflects the state administration’s responsibility toward safeguarding the welfare of ground-level government workers. “Ensuring the safety and interests of field staff is a core responsibility of the government,” a Nabanna official said, adding, “This assistance has been approved from that standpoint.”
Preliminary reports suggest that the two deceased BLOs had been working continuously over the past several days despite existing health issues. Their responsibilities included visiting households, verifying voter details, correcting entries, and re-enrolling eligible residents — tasks that intensified during the current Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Along with routine duties, the officers were reportedly facing additional workload pressures. Both workers fell ill in the line of duty and later died while undergoing treatment in hospital.
The government hopes the compensation will offer immediate support to the grieving families as they confront uncertainty and financial distress.
In Konnagar’s Badarpur area, another worker suddenly collapsed after suffering a cerebral attack while engaged in voter list revision work. Colleagues rushed him to a nearby hospital where he continues to receive treatment.
“Considering the mounting medical expenses and the family’s situation, the state administration has decided to provide ₹1 lakh as emergency assistance,” said the official.
BLOs are playing a critical role in the ongoing SIR exercise— from adding new voters to removing names of deceased or shifted individuals.
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