Durgapur Steel Plant to get second unit with likely investment of ₹35,000 crore
Set to be made with a likely investment of ₹35,000 crore, the proposed mega project is expected to mark a milestone in the city's industrial journey.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday issued a fresh directive on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, seeking to clarify procedures a day after it rejected the Madhyamik (secondary examination) admit card as a valid document, a decision that has triggered political backlash.
According to the latest instruction, voters who had earlier submitted only their Madhyamik admit cards will be issued notices again. However, the commission clarified that these voters will not be required to attend any hearing.
Advertisement
Instead, they must submit any one of the 11 documents prescribed by the ECI. The additional document can be sent to the respective Booth Level Officers (BLOs) through WhatsApp.
Advertisement
The Commission further stated that voters who had already submitted one of the prescribed documents along with their Madhyamik admit card will not be called for hearings.
The clarification follows the ECI’s decision on Thursday to reject a proposal to include the Madhyamik admit card as a valid document for the SIR process.
In a letter addressed to West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the Commission said the admit card would not be recognised.
The issue was discussed earlier during a meeting between the CEO and district electoral officers, after which the CEO’s office sent a proposal to the ECI headquarters seeking approval. The proposal was turned down.
The directive has led to political tension across the state, with protests reported from several districts over alleged harassment of voters in the name of hearings.
Reacting to the developments, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP and the Election Commission of repeatedly changing guidelines, creating confusion and harassment.
Speaking to reporters on Friday while heading to north Bengal, Banerjee said, “Everyone knows that school certificates are accepted as birth certificates because institutional deliveries were not common earlier.”
“Now, all of a sudden, after two months, a new chapter is being opened. That cannot be done. Even after the Supreme Court’s observations, they are unwilling to accept Aadhaar cards,” she said.
In a related development, the Election Commission has extended the timeline for the SIR process in West Bengal, Puducherry, Goa, Lakshadweep and Rajasthan till 19 January.
Advertisement
