2 more BLOs die in MP amid SIR workload:6 deaths in 10 days; families cite heavy stress, workers press for relief package

Six Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have died in Madhya Pradesh within just ten days while working on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of the voter list. Several others have fallen seriously ill. Families and employees’ unions say heavy workload, strict deadlines and constant pressure from officials are putting staff under extreme stress. They have demanded compensation similar to election duty benefits, including Rs 15 Lakhs for families of deceased workers and full medical care for injured staff. SIR work and mounting pressure The SIR process has been underway since 4 November in all 230 Assembly constituencies.There are 5.74 crore voters whose details must be digitised.For this, 65,014 BLOs have been assigned. Employees say the work is intense and must be completed within a month. Many districts are lagging behind. In Bhopal, only 37% of forms have been digitised so far. BLOs fear suspension if they fail to meet targets. Server issues have increased their frustration. Workers report long hours, pressure from superiors, and neglect of medical needs. Employees’ Union writes to Election Commission The Madhya Pradesh Third Class Employees’ Union has written to the Chief Election Commissioner in Delhi.The letter demands Rs 15 Lakhs for families of employees who died during SIR duty, free treatment for those who fell ill or were injured, and financial help equal to election duty provisions. Six death cases in 10 days Case 1: BLO dies after phone call from officer In Shahdol’s Sohagpur, BLO Maniram Napit (54) died of a heart attack on Monday evening. He was collecting SIR forms in Pateria village. After receiving a phone call from an officer, he suddenly felt unwell.He informed his son, who took him home. His condition worsened on the way to the medical college, and he died before reaching. Case 2: Assistant teacher hit by train Three days earlier, assistant teacher Sujan Singh Raghuvanshi from Pipariya in Narmadapuram district died after being hit by a train while returning from SIR work.He suffered severe injuries and was taken to Bansal Hospital in Bhopal. He died during treatment.He worked at Girls School Pipariya. Case 3: BLO dies after online meeting On 20 November, a BLO in Mandideep, Ramakant Pandey, died of a heart attack.He collapsed in the washroom ten minutes after an online meeting.He was taken to two hospitals in Bhopal, but doctors declared him dead.He was a primary school teacher in Ward 17 and was assigned BLO duty. Case 4: Teacher Dies After Suspension In Jhabua district, teacher Bhuwan Singh Chauhan, who was serving as a BLO, died of a heart attack.He had been suspended on 18 November for alleged negligence in SIR work.His family says the stress of suspension caused his death.The post-mortem confirmed cardiac arrest. Case 5: BLO dies during treatment In Damoh, BLO Sitaram Gond fell ill and was admitted to the district hospital.He was referred to Jabalpur, where he died while receiving treatment. Case 6: Anganwadi worker dies after illness In Balaghat constituency, BLO and Anganwadi worker Anita Nageshwar (50) died in Nagpur on Tuesday.She had fallen ill on 13 November and was treated first in Gondia and then Nagpur.Her daughter alleges extreme workload caused her condition.A local officer mentioned a possible insect bite that led to infection and liver damage. The family’s financial condition is poor. The village sarpanch has demanded Rs 25 Lakhs and a government job for one family member. Several BLOs still in hospital Heart attacks in Bhopal Two BLOs in Bhopal suffered heart attacks while on duty.BLO Kirti Kaushal was admitted to hospital. TT Nagar SDM Archana Sharma visited her.Another BLO, Mohammad Laeeq, also suffered a heart attack and remains hospitalised. Brain haemorrhage in Rewa In Rewa district, BLO Vijay Pandey suffered a brain haemorrhage during SIR work.He had fever for days but continued working under pressure from officials.He is stable but still in hospital. Teacher with heart disease forced on duty In Bhind, teacher Ravindra Shakya suffered a heart attack during BLO duty. His family says he had a serious heart condition and was under treatment at AIIMS Delhi.Despite this, officers allegedly called his illness an “excuse” and threatened suspension.He was made to work from 9 am to 11 pm. BLOs working under mental stress Union leaders say constant targets and the one-month deadline have created high stress levels.Many BLOs are working long hours, fearing suspension if they fail to meet deadlines. Demand for election-level relief The employees’ union has asked the Election Commission to apply the 10 April 2019 order, which promises: Doctors deployed in Bhopal The Bhopal Collector instructed the CMHO to deploy doctors in each ward to handle emergencies among BLOs. Doctors have been assigned to Kolar, Bairagarh, City, MP Nagar, TT Nagar and Govindpura circles. Some BLOs recognised for completing 100% SIR work In Khandwa, BLOs who achieved 100% voter survey have been honoured.Teams from Khutfal (Booth 28) and Bhainsawa Part-1 (Booth 21) received awards.Those who completed their work early have now been given responsibility for slower areas. How the best-performing BLOs worked Door-to-door effort Anganwadi worker Durga Patel said voters did not give forms proactively.The team visited every house, collected details, verified them on the MPCEO website, and entered them online. Worked at night due to server issues BLO Shalu Rawat said the server often remained down during the day.The team worked late at night to complete the task.She said senior officers were working day and night, so the BLO team also chose not to rest.