Can't Take This Pressure”: Noida Teacher Resigns As SIR Duties Add To Overload

New Delhi: Pinky Singh, an assistant teacher at Geja Higher Primary School and appointed as a Booth Level Officer, resigned stating she could no longer balance regular teaching with SIR responsibilities. In her resignation letter circulated online, she wrote she was unable to continue either task properly. She also requested guidance on handing over election-related material. Her statement, “I can't do this work anymore,” has drawn attention to excessive workload faced by teachers assigned BLO duties during electoral roll updates.

What Triggered The Immediate Decision?

Her resignation came soon after FIRs were filed against 60 Booth Level Officers and seven supervisors for alleged negligence under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Reports confirm FIRs were also lodged against 11 additional BLOs and six supervisors in Dadri. Officials said action was taken for indifference and disobeying instructions during roll revision. The fear of disciplinary measures combined with workload pressure reportedly escalated concern among staff. The letter’s timing indicates emotional strain due to growing expectations.

What Is The SIR Exercise Involving?

The Special Intensive Revision began on November 4 and will continue until December 4. During this process, BLOs are responsible for collecting large numbers of forms, updating voter details and physically verifying records. They must match new entries with previous electoral rolls while meeting strict deadlines. In many cases, staff are expected to work beyond regular hours alongside primary duties. Reports suggest mobile apps are used to capture voter photographs. Several officers have complained about psychological strain.

Why Is BLO Role Considered Challenging?

Booth Level Officers are grassroots representatives of the Election Commission but do not hold a permanent post. Their role is assigned as an additional responsibility to government employees such as teachers. They are liable for accuracy of voter rolls in allocated areas and must repeatedly attempt to reach every voter. After data collection, they digitise forms and prepare verification reports. Officials say accountability levels are high despite limited support. The input workload is often incompatible with regular job duties.

How Did Authorities Respond To Workload Concerns?

While authorities have intensified monitoring, no immediate relief mechanism has been announced for staff facing pressure. The official response mainly focuses on compliance with instructions. Senior officials said accuracy cannot be compromised in roll revision work. However, many BLOs highlight they are unable to maintain teaching schedules effectively while handling continuous field duties. Some cases allegedly link overwork to health concerns, increasing demand for restructuring of workload or temporary exemption from dual responsibilities.

Has The Issue Reached Public Discussion?

The resignation letter has gone viral on social media, drawing attention to the ground realities faced by BLOs. Several educators and government employees have expressed solidarity, stating the workload is unsustainable. Reports indicate rising stress cases due to deadline-bound SIR operations. Public debates also highlight that teachers played essential roles during elections while managing full-time academic calendars. Experts suggest the government should reconsider work allocation to maintain mental health and prevent further resignations.

Can This Lead To Wider Review?

Following emerging controversies over workload-related stress and alleged fatalities, officials may need to re-evaluate the system of assigning additional election duties to staff. The resignation case reflects wider concerns across education and government sectors. Analysts believe a structured support mechanism or policy change may be required. Discussions could influence future handling of SIR and other field-based electoral tasks. The incident reinforces the importance of balancing duty with human limits.