Confusion Over Micro-Observers in Bengal as Formal List of 8,505 Officers Remains Unreceived
In a significant development regarding election preparations in West Bengal, confusion over the appointment of micro-observers persisted on Tuesday. The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Bengal claimed that it did not receive any formal list of 8,505 Group-B officers from the state government, despite a Supreme Court directive issued on Monday.
Supreme Court Order and State Response
The Supreme Court, in its order on Monday, had explicitly stated, "Let the State Government ensure that all 8,505 Group B officers/officials, whose list was handed over to the Court today, report to the District Electoral Officers/EROs by 5 pm tomorrow." However, when asked about compliance, a senior Election Commission official revealed that the Bengal CEO office had not received any formal list. Instead, an officer at the office obtained a list with 8,505 names via WhatsApp, which was deemed insufficient for official proceedings.
The official emphasized, "Unless we get the formal list, how could we issue appointment letters?" This highlights the procedural gap that has delayed the deployment of these officers for election duties.
Details Sought and Delayed Submission
On Monday, the CEO wrote to the chief secretary of Bengal, requesting detailed information about the officers. This included specifics such as name, designation, gender, date of birth, mobile number, email address, residential address with assembly constituency, and status of vigilance clearance. The chief secretary was instructed to submit these details by 3 pm on Tuesday.
However, as of 5 pm on Tuesday, no report had been received. The EC official expressed hope that the details would be provided by Wednesday, indicating ongoing efforts to resolve the issue.
State Officials Report Despite Confusion
Despite the lack of a formal list, several state officials reported to the Kolkata South District Electoral Officer's office at Survey Building in Alipore on Tuesday. The state's list of 8,505 Group-B officers and officials included a diverse range of positions, such as lower division clerks, upper division clerks, typists, and amins, among others.
Breakdown of the list includes:
- 110 lower division clerks from various government departments
- 1,172 upper division clerks
- 1,466 clerks
- 155 pharmacists
- 30 amins
- 49 typists
Bengal Government's Statement on Classification
In response to the confusion, the Bengal government issued a statement clarifying its position. It asserted that the "list of Group ‘B' employees submitted to ECI is strictly in accordance with the existing pay-level criteria as notified by the finance department, vide memorandum 2160-F(J)WB dated 06.10.2020."
The statement further explained that the classification of state government employees into Groups A, B, C, and D has been clearly defined in accordance with existing rules. The preparation and submission of the list of Group-B employees has been carried out scrupulously following these notified norms, without any deviation, according to the government.
This ongoing situation underscores the challenges in coordinating election logistics and highlights the importance of formal documentation in ensuring smooth electoral processes. The delay in receiving a formal list could impact the timely appointment of micro-observers, crucial for maintaining election integrity in the region.
