BLO dies after suspension in Jhabua:9 suspended in Sagar; Datia teacher died by suicide; show-cause notices issued to 3 SDMs and 15 Tehsildars

In Madhya Pradesh, teachers have been assigned responsibilities under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter list survey. Becoming a Booth Level Officer (BLO) has significantly increased their workload, and strict action is being taken against those found negligent in duties. In Jhabua, a BLO died a day after being suspended. On Tuesday, the Jhabua District Election Officer suspended him citing negligence in SIR-related tasks. The family claims he was under severe stress after receiving the suspension order. Earlier, on November 11, a teacher in Datia died by suicide in a school washroom. Investigations revealed he was under pressure due to SIR duties and struggled with basic mobile operations. The additional workload of BLO duties had caused immense distress. Meanwhile, in Sagar district, nine BLOs have been suspended so far for negligence in the voter list survey. Additionally, three SDMs and fifteen Tehsildars have been issued show-cause notices for slow or zero progress in SIR-related tasks. Jhabua: BLO collapses and dies after suspension In Solia village under Udaigarh Janpad Panchayat, teacher Bhuwan Singh Chauhan was serving as a BLO. He was suspended on Tuesday for slow progress in SIR work, delayed verification reports, and failure to follow election instructions on time. According to family members, Bhuwan Singh was deeply distressed after the suspension. He neither ate dinner nor slept that night. On Wednesday, he suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed. He was rushed to the Community Health Centre in Bori, where doctors declared him dead. Bhuwan Singh was an assistant teacher at Baba Dev Faliya Primary School in Solia, and his BLO duty was assigned under the Jhabua Assembly constituency. Teachers say BLO work has become overwhelming Fellow BLOs said SIR surveys, voter list updates, door-to-door verification, online entries, and frequently changing instructions have made the work extremely challenging. No additional staff or special support is provided for this extra responsibility. Datia: Teacher’s Body Found After Breaking Washroom Door On November 11, teacher Udaybhan Sihare (50) at the primary school in Salone B village, Pandohkar (Datia), died by suicide. He went to the washroom around 11 AM and did not return for a long time. When colleagues called out and got no response, they broke open the door and found him hanging from a noose tied to the ventilator. His brother, Dharmendra Sihare, said Udaybhan was distressed ever since he was assigned BLO duties. He did not know how to use a mobile phone or ride a bike, yet was burdened with SIR-related responsibilities. He had been repeatedly expressing his desire to quit this work. Sagar: Administration takes strict action The Sagar administration has taken a tough stand against negligence in the voter list survey. Collector and District Election Officer Sandeep GR, along with the District Education Officer, has suspended nine BLOs so far. In Assembly constituency 41 (Sagar), four BLOs were suspended for serious negligence, indiscipline, and ignoring senior officials’ directives. Earlier, on November 17, three BLOs in the Surkhi constituency were suspended due to zero progress in mapping and survey work despite prior notices. Three SDMs and fifteen tehsildars have also been served show-cause notices for slow or no progress in SIR survey tasks.