Poll panel suspends three Bengal micro-observers

Kolkata: Amid the standoff over the appointment of more than 6,500 central officers as micro-observers for the SIR in Bengal, the EC on Tuesday suspended three micro-observers from their posts for their alleged failure in performing their statutory duties.Two bank managers and one CGST inspector, who were posted in North 24 Parganas, were suspended following a report by district electoral roll observers, a senior EC official said.
In a post on X, Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal said: "On the report of ECI-appointed district roll observers, 3 (three) micro-observers have been suspended by the chief electoral officer, West Bengal, on Tuesday afternoon. Electoral Roll Micro Observers (ERMOs), being on deputation to the ECI, are directed to perform their duties diligently and not to outsource or delegate their work to anyone else, failing which they will be liable for the consequences."According to sources, departmental proceedings will be initiated against the suspended trio by their respective offices. The investigation must be completed within six months, and the EC's approval is required before any final action — or the lack thereof — is taken against them.It was reported that complaints against the three micro-observers had been surfacing for some time. Although they claimed to be on duty, it was found that they were not performing their tasks and would merely sign off and leave. These details were included in the roll observer's report.The EC has stated that suspension and departmental investigations must begin immediately, and the progress of the investigations should be regularly reported to the commission.In a virtual meeting with all DMs last Friday, chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said clearly: "There will be no negligence in work, and intentional mistakes will not be tolerated."