Bhubaneswar: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha R S Gopalan has suspended an Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) in Mayurbhanj district for serious lapses and gross dereliction of duty amid the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) o
f electoral rolls.
AERO Banaja Das, who is also the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Badasahi in the district, has been placed under suspension with immediate effect. The CEO has issued a communication to DEO and Collector of Mayurbhanj in this regard.
According to an official order, Banaja Das has been placed under suspension with immediate effect for her repeated failure to attend crucial training programmes meant for BLOs and BLO supervisors on May 26 and 27 and blatant disregard for official instructions.
The major charges against her include failing to attend the mandatory virtual training programme for EROs and AEROs held on May 23, 2026, despite prior intimation. She failed to respond to the show-cause notice issued to her regarding the absence. She also availed Casual Leave without proper intimation and remaining absent from duty during important training sessions.