SIR: Kerala BLOs to boycott work on Nov 17 following official's suicide
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Kerala is expected to face disruption on Monday, as booth-level officers (BLOs) have announced a state-wide boycott of duties, following the suicide of a BLO in Kannur.
The work boycott was declared by the Action Council of State Government Employees and Teachers, the Joint Committee of Teacher Service Organisations, and the Kerala NGO Association. These organisations also plan joint protest marches at the office of the Kerala Chief Electoral Officer and at district collectorates.
In a joint statement, the trade unions said BLOs across Kerala would abstain from work on Monday. The organisations alleged that BLOs are under severe pressure due to the SIR process and duties linked to the upcoming local body elections.
“Although all political parties and service organisations demanded that the SIR be postponed, the Election Commission refused. Instead, it imposed an unrealistic workload with high targets in a very short period. This pressure is pushing BLOs toward suicide,” the statement said.
The Kerala NGO Association echoed these concerns, warning that further agitations will be organised if immediate relief is not provided. “BLOs are being forced to work day and night to revise a voters’ list that was published 23 years ago, without sufficient time. The SIR process should be stopped immediately to prevent further tragedies,” the association said.
The announcement follows the death of 44-year-old Aneesh George, a BLO in Payyannur, Kannur, who was found hanging at his home on Sunday. Family members and residents alleged that work-related pressure linked to the SIR exercise contributed to his death.
Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, demanded a thorough investigation into George’s death. “BLOs are facing excessive workloads. The SIR, initiated by the central government, is now more intensive than even preparations for Assembly elections. The Election Commission and state government must conduct a proper inquiry and provide clear explanations,” he said.
With PTI inputs