TNR News Network
Dharamshala
The All India Rashtriya Shikshak Mahasangh (ABRSM) has expressed serious concern over the mounting workload, technical glitches, and administrative pressure faced by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision Campaign.
Professor Khemraj Sharma, President of the Himachal Pradesh Central University Teachers’ Association unit, said the organization has been consistently active on sensitive issues. National President Prof. Narayan Lal Gupta highlighted that BLOs are being compelled to work 16–18 hours daily in the field and on digital portals.
Frequent app crashes, poor network connectivity, and lack of technical support have further worsened the situation. Reports from several districts indicate that BLOs have faced threats, notices, salary‑withholding warnings, and even humiliating behavior from officials, leading to severe mental stress. In some states, tragic incidents of suicide have been reported, underscoring the gravity of the issue.
General Secretary Prof. Geeta Bhatt added that BLOs are forced to use personal resources due to the absence of official support staff, training, and equipment. In remote, hilly, and desert regions, poor network availability makes online verification and data uploads nearly impossible. She also noted that demands for 20‑year‑old documents have created confusion among the public, often resulting in hostility toward BLOs.
The federation has urged the Election Commission of India to extend the deadline for revision work, ensuring BLOs can perform their duties without undue pressure. It has also demanded ₹1 crore ex‑gratia compensation and a government job for one dependent family member of BLOs who die or commit suicide due to work stress.
Additionally, ABRSM has called for a high‑level inquiry against erring officials, provision of technical assistants and computer operators at booth and block levels, and supply of essential resources such as 5G connectivity, tablets/laptops, and travel allowances.
The federation emphasized that officials must be instructed to refrain from using threats or disrespectful language and to treat BLOs with dignity. ABRSM has appealed for immediate and sensitive intervention by the Election Commission to safeguard the welfare of BLOs and ensure quality in the revision process.
