BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
Behind files, forms, and official targets are real people, men and women who carry the weight of public duty on their shoulders, often in silence. At the Samajwadi Party’s state headquarters in Lucknow, that human truth was brought to the forefront when National President and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav met the families of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) who lost their lives during the pressure-filled Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duty. This was not just a political event. It was a moment of shared grief.
With folded hands and quiet words, Akhilesh Yadav handed over ₹2 lakh cheques to the families of deceased BLOs from Moradabad and Deoria, expressing deep condolences and assuring them that they were not alone. The assistance followed his earlier announcement to support the families of BLOs who died due to extreme work pressure, suicide, or heart attacks while performing SIR duties.
One of those families was that of Sarvesh Singh Jatav, a BLO from Moradabad and an assistant teacher at a composite school in Bhagatpur Tanda block. For his wife, Babli Devi, the loss was not just of a husband, but of a companion, a provider, and a steady presence in everyday life. The cheque she received could never replace what was lost, but it stood as recognition of Sarvesh Singh’s service and sacrifice.
In Deoria, similar stories of quiet dedication ended in tragedy. Ashish Kumar, a lekhpal and BLO from Salempur tehsil, was known in his village as a hardworking official who took his responsibilities seriously. His wife Kanchan now carries the burden of a future suddenly altered. Akhilesh Yadav handed her financial assistance, offering words meant to comfort in a time when words often fall short.
Another cheque was given to Ranju Devi, wife of Jagadamba Dubey, a BLO posted at Booth No. 7 in the Rudrapur Assembly constituency. Like many frontline workers, Jagadamba Dubey worked far from the spotlight, yet his role was vital to the democratic process. Leaders including MLA Kamal Akhtar and Deoria district president Vyas Yadav stood beside the families, reinforcing a sense of collective responsibility.
More than an act of charity, the moment raised a painful question: how much pressure is too much? These deaths are a reminder that administrative efficiency cannot come at the cost of human lives. True governance is measured not only by numbers completed, but by the care shown to those who make the system work.
