In a move aimed at improving the lives of sanitation workers, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that the state will soon establish a dedicated commission focused on their welfare and development.

Sharing the update via a post on X, the Chief Minister stated that a new body—titled the Bihar State Safai Karmachari Commission—will be created to safeguard the rights of sanitation workers and oversee their overall well-being. The commission’s responsibilities will include recommending welfare measures, resolving grievances, supporting rehabilitation, and reviewing ongoing government schemes to better serve this workforce.

Kumar noted that the panel will feature a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and five members, with at least one position reserved for a woman or transgender representative. This body, he emphasized, is envisioned as a critical step toward integrating marginalized sanitation workers into the social and economic mainstream of the state.

By offering strategic advice and policy input, the commission is expected to play a proactive role in promoting dignity, security, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for those engaged in essential sanitation services.

A large-scale voter verification initiative currently underway in Bihar has stirred debate as it nears its conclusion this Friday. Known as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), this exercise differs from the usual annual update, the Special Summary Revision (SSR), which was last carried out between October 29, 2024, and January 6, 2025.

During the SSR, officials reported that approximately 1,500 applications were submitted by residents seeking the removal of certain individuals from the electoral rolls, alleging they were “foreigners.” While some of these objections were later validated, the majority were dismissed after review, according to sources from the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Unlike SSR, which relies on voluntary public input and limited checks, the ongoing SIR is a far more exhaustive operation. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are tasked with physically verifying each voter’s details through door-to-door surveys using pre-filled forms. A crucial part of this process involves mandatory verification of citizenship through official documentation—aimed at identifying and removing ineligible, duplicate, or non-citizen entries, including undocumented immigrants. Notably, this is the first time since 2003 that Bihar has undergone a full-fledged SIR.

During the previous SSR, objections were raised using Form 7—an official ECI document allowing registered voters to challenge names in the list. The form requires detailed identification information of both the complainant and the person being objected to, including the electoral roll part number, serial number, address, and the grounds for objection. Although documentary evidence is not mandatory at the time of submission, objectors are expected to provide a valid rationale for their claim.

Patna saw the highest number of objections (215), followed by Bhagalpur (145), Samastipur (140), and Siwan (93). Other districts such as Madhubani (89), Araria (70), Purnia (29), and East and West Champaran (23 and 21, respectively) also reported several such entries.

As per ECI protocol, each Form 7 submission must trigger a field inquiry and a mandatory seven-day notice to the individual whose name is being challenged. However, some BLOs claimed they received little to no guidance on how to proceed with complex cases, especially involving long-term residents lacking formal documents.

“In my region, only a tiny fraction—maybe 0.5%—would qualify as actual non-citizens,” said a BLO from Araria. “There were instances where people mistakenly objected to someone thinking they had moved, or where the wrong name got deleted entirely.”

The SSR is a standard annual process involving updates for new voters, deceased individuals, or those who’ve changed residence. It uses a combination of door-to-door verification and public notifications. Forms 6, 7, and 8 are used respectively for inclusion, deletion, and correction in the rolls. While Form 7 places the onus of proof on the voter whose citizenship is questioned, the initial burden lies with the person submitting the claim.

The ECI maintains that the SIR is focused on electoral integrity, not targeting any specific group. “We’re looking to ensure that only eligible voters remain on the list,” said a senior ECI official. “If someone has passed away, migrated, or lacks documentation proving citizenship, that will be evident during this exercise.”

Officials also expressed optimism about the upgraded digital systems supporting the current process. “This time, we’re equipped with better tools,” said the official. “Regardless of the number of objections, we aim to achieve a roll that is as accurate and complete as possible.”

Form 7 continues to be part of the current SIR protocol as well, reinforcing its role in flagging questionable entries—though the context and rigour of this revision are far more extensive than earlier exercises.

The Janata Dal (United) has formally questioned its Banka MP, Girdhari Yadav, over his recent public objections to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. In a notice issued on Thursday, the party described Yadav’s remarks as a breach of internal discipline and inconsistent with the JD(U)’s official stance.

The letter, signed by JD(U) national general secretary Afaque Ahmed Khan, asked Yadav to clarify his position within 15 days, warning that failure to do so could invite disciplinary measures.

Yadav had sharply criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) earlier this week, raising concerns that the current voter roll revision could cast doubts on the legitimacy of the recent Lok Sabha election outcome. He questioned the logic behind revising the electoral list so soon after the general elections, implying that either the previous roll was flawed or the present revision is unnecessary.

He also cautioned that the process, if rushed, could disenfranchise large sections of voters, especially those from vulnerable and marginalised communities. Additionally, he pointed out the impractical timing of the exercise, which coincides with severe flooding in parts of Bihar and peak agricultural activity.

Calling for more time, Yadav urged the Election Commission to extend the timeline by at least six months to ensure thoroughness and accessibility. “The Commission should safeguard voter participation, not rush a critical process so close to the assembly elections,” he asserted.

The JD(U), however, dismissed his concerns, noting that the revision is being carried out lawfully under the constitutional mandate of the ECI and the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The notice accused Yadav of inadvertently aligning with the narrative of opposition parties that have been challenging the credibility of the ECI and electronic voting machines (EVMs).

“Our party has maintained unwavering support for the Election Commission and its practices, including the use of EVMs—whether during our tenure in the INDIA bloc or now with the NDA,” the letter stated. It emphasized that public dissent from party members on such a sensitive issue, especially during an election year, damages the party’s reputation and could bolster unfounded allegations promoted by rival groups.