Vadodara, Gujarat — BLO: In yet another tragic incident linked to the ongoing SIR duties, an assistant BLO (Booth Level Officer) collapsed and died while on official duty in Vadodara on Tuesday. The deceased, identified as Ushaben Indrasinh Solanki (age 50), was serving as an assistant BLO when she suddenly collapsed inside Pratap School located in Kadel Bazaar. She was immediately rushed to Sir Sayaji Rao General Hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
This marks the fourth death of a BLO-related staff member in the last four days across the state, raising serious questions about work pressure and the safety of government employees assigned to SIR duties. The ongoing developments have sparked widespread concern and grief among the education and government sectors.
Sudden Collapse While on Duty
According to primary reports, Ushaben Solanki, who worked at Gorwa Women’s ITI, had been deployed for SIR duties at Pratap School. Witnesses stated that she was performing assistant BLO responsibilities when she suddenly fainted. Despite being rushed for treatment, she could not be saved.
Her colleagues remain in shock, as she had arrived for duty like any other day and showed no visible signs of distress minutes before the incident.
Suspected Cause: Heart Attack — Postmortem Awaited
Ushaben originally belonged to Tilakwada in Narmada district but was residing in Subhanpura, Vadodara. While the hospital has not yet confirmed the definitive cause of death, preliminary reports suggest a suspected heart attack.
Her body has been moved for a postmortem examination, and the exact medical cause will be determined after the report is released. The sudden death has created an atmosphere of mourning among her colleagues and family.
A Pattern of Tragedy: Four Deaths in Four Days During SIR Operations
The death of Ushaben is not an isolated incident. During the state-wide SIR (Special Intensive Revision) process, four officers and teachers engaged as BLOs or assistant BLOs have died within four days, creating growing alarm among government employees.
Recent reported deaths include:
| Location | Name & Role | Reported Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Kodinar | Arvind Wadhere, Teacher | Suicide allegedly due to work pressure |
| Tapi | Kalpanaben Patel, Assistant BLO | Heart attack |
| Kheda | School Teacher on BLO duty | Heart attack |
| Vadodara (Current case) | Ushaben Solanki, Assistant BLO | Suspected heart attack |
Additionally, in Ahmedabad, BLO Farukh Shaikh suffered a heart attack during duty. He was immediately hospitalized and underwent a stent procedure. His condition is reported to be stable.
As these incidents mount, employee groups and teacher associations are expressing concern that workload and mental pressure during SIR operations might be triggering health and emotional breakdowns.
Family Claims They Requested Relief From Duty Due to Health Issues
Speaking about the loss, Ushaben’s husband, Indrasinh Solanki, shared a heartbreaking statement.
He confirmed that the family had previously requested that she should not be assigned this duty due to her ongoing health issues.
“She was unwell, and we had requested that she be exempted from this duty. She was waiting for the supervisor when she suddenly fainted. She was rushed to Sayaji Hospital, but we were told she did not survive.”
The emotional testimony has sparked major discussion over whether medical assessments and risk factors are ignored while assigning SIR responsibilities.
District Collector Responds — Denies Work Pressure
Vadodara District Collector Anil Dhameelia addressed the situation, expressing condolences but rejecting claims of excessive workload or pressure.
He stated that:
- Ushaben was deployed as an assistant BLO in routine procedure
- She had not filed any complaint requesting relief from duty
- No performance pressure or targets were assigned to her
The Collector further added that family reports suggested Ushaben had a history of collapsing even at home due to heart-related ailments, and Tuesday’s incident appeared to be a sudden natural health emergency rather than stress-induced.
Growing Concern Over BLO Gujarat Duties
The rise in such tragedies has intensified public debate about BLO Gujarat roles, particularly during SIR activities. Teachers and educational staff deployed as BLOs have repeatedly expressed concerns regarding:
- Long working hours
- Excessive travel during field verification
- Poor medical preparedness on duty
- Lack of urgent medical response systems
Employee associations are now demanding a review of the deployment guidelines and immediate consideration of medical exemptions for vulnerable officers.
Safety Measures Expected
With four fatalities in four days, state departments are expected to take corrective steps. Pending proposals being discussed among staff unions include:
- Mandatory health screening before assigning SIR duties
- Medical teams deployed at major centers
- Helpline for BLO employees
- Reduction of ground-level workload
- Compulsory rest hours
Social media platforms have also seen growing demand for transparency and accountability following the repeated incidents.
A Wave of Grief Across Gujarat
The back-to-back deaths of employees during the SIR process have left an emotional impact on government workers across the education sector. Many employees have returned to duty with visible fear, anxiety, and insecurity.
Coworkers of Ushaben recall her as a dedicated and hardworking official, known for her calm personality and commitment to responsibility.
Her sudden passing has left her family devastated and her colleagues in deep shock.
Conclusion
The tragic death of assistant BLO Ushaben Solanki during duty has intensified concerns surrounding the safety and well-being of government staff working under BLO Gujarat operations. With four deaths in just four days, urgent action and policy evaluation have become crucial to prevent further loss of life.
As investigations continue, teachers and government employees across the state await solutions, hoping that these incidents will prompt long-overdue reforms to protect those who serve the public.
