West Bengal announces compensation linked to SIR-related distress

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (December 2, 2025) announced financial compensation for the families of those who have died due to concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Ms. Banerjee said that 39 people, including four BLOs, have died in the State due to the SIR panic, which includes deaths due to suicides. “The families of each of them will get financial assistance of ₹2 lakh,” she said.

“Thirteen people are under treatment due to illness. Among them, three BLOs are victims of work pressure. These 13 people will get financial assistance of ₹1 lakh each,” she said.

The Chief Minister’s announcement came when the distribution of enumeration forms under the SIR, which began on November 4, was in its final phase. After the extension of the seven-day deadline for the SIR, the collection and digitisation of enumeration is likely to be completed on December 14.

Deaths linked to SIR stress were reported in the State days before the process started. The BJP and other Opposition parties have questioned claims of such deaths and alleged that the Trinamool Congress was linking every death in the State to the SIR.

Commenting on the announcement of compensation, CPI(M) State Secretary Mohammad Salim said that Ms. Banerjee was indulging in politics over the dead. Mr. Salim said that BLOs are being pressurised by the Election Commission and that if the Commission wanted an error-free voter list, it should have removed the names of dead voters. He also raised questions about the 100 enumeration forms being returned to BLOs across several booths in the State.

Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also shared an audio clip on his social media handle alleging that it revealed how BLOs in the Falta area of South 24 Parganas were being pressurised by the Electoral Revision Officer (ERO) of Falta, instructing that the names of dead persons should not be deleted.