SIR row: No notice issued to Prof CNR Rao over name discrepancy, says Bengaluru official

NEW DELHI: No notice was issued to Bharat Ratna awardee and renowned scientist Prof C N R Rao over a discrepancy in his name in the electoral roll during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) chief commissioner M Maheshwar Rao said on Wednesday, as cited by news agency PTI.Clarifying the matter, the GBA said in a statement that the booth level officer (BLO) did not issue any notice to Rao. Instead, the officer recommended that his name be retained in the final electoral roll."No notice has been issued to the Hon’ble Bharat Ratna (awardee) Prof C N (R) Rao in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the Malleshwaram assembly constituency," the GBA said, quoting Maheshwar Rao, who also serves as the district election officer of Bengaluru Urban.As part of the SIR exercise, enumeration forms were personally delivered to Rao and his family members at their residence by the State SVEEP Nodal Officer along with the Commissioner of the Bengaluru West City Corporation. The required details were subsequently filled in.According to the GBA, Rao was listed as a voter in Part No-129, Serial No-431 of the 76-Malleshwaram assembly constituency in the 2002 electoral roll. His name at the time was recorded as ‘Rama’.Explaining the discrepancy, the authority said the BLO decided against issuing a notice and instead recommended retaining Rao's name in the final roll."A discrepancy was noticed in the name of the Hon’ble person in the electoral roll. In view of this, the Booth Level Officer (BLO), without issuing any notice, has recommended inclusion of his name in the final electoral roll, considering him to be a respected person. Accordingly, necessary action has been initiated to include his name in the final electoral roll," the GBA said.He is currently enrolled as a voter in Part No-59, Serial No-187 of the 157-Malleshwaram assembly constituency under the name 'Prof CN Rao M'. The GBA said his name has consequently been included in the draft electoral roll.The clarification came after reports suggested that Rao had received a notice in connection with the electoral roll revision.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.