By The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a crucial petition filed by a group of Anganwadi workers from Tamil Nadu who allege that they are being forcibly assigned Booth Level Officer (BLO) duties for election-related work. According to the plea, these workers face threats of disciplinary action, suspension, and even loss of employment if they refuse to undertake tasks that fall outside their official job responsibilities. The case has drawn national attention as it touches upon issues of labour rights, gender justice, job security, and the misuse of authority in government systems.
Background: Who Are Anganwadi Workers and What Is BLO Work?
Anganwadi workers serve as the backbone of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. Their primary responsibilities include early childhood care, nutrition delivery, monitoring pregnant women, and supporting health initiatives in rural and low-income communities. These are essential services that directly impact maternal and child health.
On the other hand, BLO duties involve tasks such as voter verification, field surveys, house-to-house verification of electoral rolls, and ensuring the accuracy of voter lists. These are responsibilities traditionally handled by revenue officials, teachers, or dedicated election staff, not by childcare workers.
The petitioners argue that being assigned BLO tasks overburdens them, disrupts their childcare duties, and subjects them to risks and responsibilities far beyond their scope of work.
Details of the Petition
The plea submitted to the Supreme Court points out that district-level authorities in Tamil Nadu have been issuing informal orders requiring Anganwadi workers to report for BLO duties. According to the petitioners, refusal to comply has led to:
- Threats of show-cause notices
- Warnings of salary cuts or withholding of honorarium
- Intimidation regarding possible termination
- Pressure tactics that include public shaming and harassment
The petition states that Anganwadi workers, who already receive meagre honorariums, should not be forced into additional work without compensation, training, or legal mandate. Further, the petition emphasizes that this forced deployment violates labour rights and exploitative directives issued without proper legal backing.
Key Arguments Presented in the Plea
The petitioners’ arguments revolve around several crucial concerns:
1. Legal Overreach and Violation of Job Roles
The plea argues that assigning BLO duties does not fall within the official job description of Anganwadi workers. Therefore, compelling them to undertake unrelated tasks amounts to administrative overreach.
2. Exploitation of Low-Paid Female Workforce
Anganwadi workers are predominantly women and are among the lowest-paid government functionaries. Forcing them into extra duties, often without additional pay, highlights systemic exploitation of a vulnerable workforce.
3. Impact on Public Welfare Services
With Anganwadi workers diverted to election-related work, the functioning of rural childcare centres suffers. Children miss out on meals, nutrition checks get delayed, and pregnant women lose timely support—compromising essential public health services.
4. Threats of Punitive Action
The petition strongly objects to the coercive nature of the directives, stating that workers should not be penalized for refusing work that lies outside their formal mandate.
5. Violation of Constitutional Rights
The petitioners argue that forcing workers into BLO duties violates:
- Article 14 (Right to Equality)
- Article 21 (Right to Livelihood with Dignity)
- Article 23 (Prohibition of Forced Labour)
Response from State Authorities
State officials have maintained that assigning BLO duties is routine and done to meet manpower requirements during election-related activities. They claim that Anganwadi workers assist only when required and are not coerced.
However, the petition counters this by providing evidence of messages, circulars, and verbal orders that explicitly warn workers of consequences for refusal.
Growing Support from Unions and Activists
Trade unions, women’s rights groups, and labour activists have voiced strong support for the workers. They argue that Anganwadi staff are already overburdened with multiple responsibilities such as:
- Nutrition distribution
- Maintaining records
- Conducting home visits
- Educational activities for preschool children
Adding BLO duties, they say, shows a consistent pattern of workload dumping on Anganwadi workers instead of hiring more staff.
Why This Case Matters
This case is significant beyond Tamil Nadu because similar complaints have surfaced in other states as well. If the Supreme Court issues strict guidelines or restrictions, it could set a nationwide precedent protecting the rights of Anganwadi workers and preventing arbitrary assignment of unrelated duties.
It may also force governments to define job responsibilities more clearly and ensure fair treatment of contractual and semi-contractual workers in essential sectors.
What Happens Next
The Supreme Court will first examine whether the alleged coercion violates constitutional protections and employment norms. Depending on the Court’s observations, authorities may be required to:
- Stop assigning BLO duties to Anganwadi workers
- Provide clear guidelines for job roles
- Ensure no punitive action is taken
- Create alternative manpower systems for election duties
Conclusion
The upcoming hearing in the Supreme Court marks an important moment for thousands of Anganwadi workers in Tamil Nadu and across India. At its core, the plea highlights the struggle for dignity, fair treatment, and protection from forced labour. The Court’s decision could reshape the manner in which governments deploy frontline workers for additional responsibilities and reaffirm the importance of respecting job boundaries in public administration.
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