Too near yet too far: BLOs’ relief on hold as hearings may be extended by another week

Kolkata: BLOs who were hoping for some relief after three months of constant pressure learnt on Saturday evening that the ordeal was not quite over with the hearing process likely to be extended by a week. Even before the CEO's announcement, some BLOs were uncertain about whether the process had indeed concluded or whether new tasks would be introduced. Several felt the next week will be crucial and that they may have to continue with the verification job until the final roll is published.

Sudipta Modok, a BLO from the Shyampukur area, said: "The job is not over as I am assigned SIR duties till Feb 14. This week is going to be more crucial, as work related to Forms 6, 7, and 8 is still underway. Moreover, some uploading processes are still pending, so it is not a relief at this moment. However, I am also concerned about the area where I was assigned, as people there trusted me during the entire process, and they should not suffer due to any mistake of mine."


Arup Mondal, assistant headmaster of Tirthapati Institution and a BLO in the Tollygunge area, said: "I desperately want the SIR hearings to end as I am also assigned as a supervisor for the HS examinations. I hope I will be able to concentrate on school work soon if no new task pertaining to the SIR is imposed on us again."

Dipa Dutta, a BLO from Burrabazar, said, "Though I will not have to accompany electors to the hearing centre from tomorrow, I cannot say that I am fully relieved from the SIR process, as uploading of documents is still continuing because several people missed the deadline."

Dola Datta, a BLO from Beliaghata, pointed out that anxiety would remain until the final SIR list is published. "I don't know when I will be able to breathe easy. I fret over the SIR future of voters in my area. If anyone's name is left out, I will be the first to face that person's ire."

A BLO in the Behala West constituency said she completed her last round of hearings on Tuesday and was now spending some time with her family while juggling school work, but she was still unsure whether more work will be assigned in the coming weeks. "Rules keep changing every day. I know I am done with all my work as of now, but you never know if new work will be assigned to us in the coming weeks. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping this is the end, but you never know if we are going to receive another WhatsApp message or a call tomorrow with some new task," the BLO said.