Amid S.I.R. controversy, EC doubles pay of BLOs, gives incentives for ‘special drives’

According to sources, the ECI sent a letter to all CEOs (Chief Electoral Officer) of the country. The letter stated, “…the Commission has directed that following minimum annual remuneration should be granted to BLOs and BLO Supervisors: Booth Level Officer (BLO) – Rs 12000, BLO Supervisor- Rs 18000, Special Incentive to BLO (for SSR/SR and any other special drive) Rs 2000.”

Sources in the ECI said that BLOs used to get Rs 6,000 earlier, which has now been doubled.

The ECI’s latest notification follows a letter to West Bengal Chief Secretary in which it asked the West Bengal government to create a separate Election Department, completely delinked from any other state department, citing a “lack of administrative and financial autonomy” available to the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

In a letter dated July 17 and addressed to the West Bengal Chief Secretary, the Election Commission wrote: “The Commission has noted lack of financial and administrative autonomy available to CEO, West Bengal, in the existing arrangement, wherein CEO’s office functions with limited financial powers relying on a minor permanent advance from the Finance Department. Further, the CEO’s office has been categorized as a subordinate branch of the Home & Hill Affairs Department, which is led by a principal secretary-level officer, whereas the CEO himself is of ACS rank.”

The EC was referring to the West Bengal government’s April 3 notification, appointing IAS officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal as the state CEO. He was also made ex-officio Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Hill Affairs Department.

While the state government has so far not commented on the EC’s letter, TMC and Left leaders condemned it, calling it an RSS conspiracy.