Daijiworld Media Network -Kolkata

Kolkata, Jan 21: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday instructed district magistrates to strictly adhere to the Supreme Court’s directions while conducting hearings related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stressing that people should not be harassed in the name of “logical discrepancies”.

The chief minister made the remarks after unexpectedly joining a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty with district magistrates at the state secretariat, Nabanna.

According to a senior official, Banerjee made it clear that all SIR-related hearings must be conducted strictly as per the apex court’s instructions. She expressed concern that people were facing inconvenience due to hearings over so-called logical discrepancies and said the process should be approached with a humanitarian outlook.

“She underlined that documents recognised as valid by the Supreme Court must be accepted without exception during the hearings. District magistrates were also asked to ensure that receipts are issued to citizens after submission of documents,” the official said.

The chief minister further directed officials to make alternative arrangements for voters who are unable to attend hearings on the scheduled dates.

Banerjee emphasised that while the Election Commission’s work should continue, the state’s development programmes must not be disrupted under any circumstances. She also assured officials that they need not fear, stating that her government stands firmly with them.