A rare administrative scenario unfolded in North Bengal when a serving government officer, tasked with overseeing a crucial voter verification drive, found herself standing in a queue as a respondent. Bharati Chik Baraik, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Lava block in Kalimpong district, attended a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing after being identified as an 'unmapped voter'.
The Unusual SIR Hearing
The incident occurred at Meteli, which falls under the Matiali block of the neighbouring Jalpaiguri district. The SIR process is a detailed exercise to identify and rectify discrepancies in the electoral roll. BDOs like Bharati are typically entrusted with supervising this very process in their jurisdictions. However, in a surprising turn, Bharati received a hearing notice herself.
Sources indicate that the notice was issued because her name, along with those of her father Kapil Chik Baraik, brother Pranab Chik Baraik, and sister Arati Chik Baraik, did not appear in the 2002 electoral roll. While Bharati has already presented herself before the SIR authority, her family members attended their hearing on a recent Monday.
Roots of the Registration Complication
Investigation into the background of the case reveals a potential reason for the omission. When the 2002 SIR exercise was being conducted, Bharati Chik Baraik was employed at the Pendants Cement Factory located in Gomtu, Bhutan. This period of employment outside her native area likely created complications in her voter registration at that specific time.
It is noteworthy that, according to sources, the names of the BDO's family were successfully included in the voter list later, in 2004. Bharati, an experienced officer, has previously held the post of BDO in Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Nagrakata before her current posting in Lava block.
Official Silence and Raised Eyebrows
The sight of a supervising officer standing in line with other citizens to regularise her own voter status has drawn sharp attention and raised questions within administrative circles. The episode highlights the complexities and potential oversights that can occur even within systematic government exercises like the SIR.
When contacted for her comments on the SIR hearing matter, Bharati Chik Baraik declined to speak. "I do not want to comment on this issue," she told the Times of India over the telephone. The officer's decision to remain silent has added another layer of intrigue to the already unusual situation.
This incident underscores the challenges in maintaining flawless electoral rolls and demonstrates that verification processes can sometimes ensnare individuals from within the system itself. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts required to ensure every eligible citizen is correctly mapped to the democratic framework.
