Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has issued notice to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a public interest litigation challenging the appointment of Anganwadi workers as Booth Level Officers (BLOs). The petitioners have alleged that assigning election-related responsibilities to Anganwadi workers is affecting their core duties related to child and maternal welfare.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K S Hemalekha heard the PIL filed by the state committee of the Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers’ Association, Davanagere, and directed that notice be issued to the ECI.
Petitioners raise concerns over additional workload
Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Umapathi S told the court that assigning BLO responsibilities to Anganwadi workers was resulting in several serious consequences.
The petitioners argued that the additional election-related work was interfering with the delivery of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and early childhood care and development services intended for women and children.
According to the submissions, Anganwadi workers already have a wide range of responsibilities under various government welfare programmes. The association contended that adding election duties to their existing workload was placing an additional burden on the workers.
Door-to-door voter verification cited
The petitioners also highlighted the nature of the duties assigned to BLOs.
The advocate submitted that BLO responsibilities were no longer limited to routine or office-based work. Instead, the role involves sensitive field-level activities, including door-to-door verification of voter details and enumeration.
The association argued that such field duties require Anganwadi workers to spend considerable time away from their primary responsibilities at Anganwadi centres.
The petitioners are therefore challenging the practice of assigning BLO duties to Anganwadi workers and have sought the court’s intervention, citing the potential impact on essential services provided to women and children.
High Court seeks ECI response
After hearing the preliminary submissions, the division bench issued notice to the Election Commission of India.
The notice gives the ECI an opportunity to respond to the allegations and explain the basis for assigning BLO responsibilities to Anganwadi workers.
The case is expected to be considered further after the Election Commission presents its response before the court.
The PIL has brought attention to the growing responsibilities placed on Anganwadi workers, who play a key role in implementing nutrition, healthcare and early childhood development programmes at the grassroots level.