Kolkata, 21 May (H.S.) : The West Bengal government has issued a stringent set of guidelines for government employees, restricting them from making comments in the media, participating in media programmes without permission, or sharing official information and documents with outsiders.

The directive was issued on Wednesday by the state’s Personnel and Administrative Reforms (PAR) Department, which is under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The notification, signed by Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, has been circulated to all state departments, commissioners, district administrations and police authorities with instructions for immediate implementation.

According to the circular, the new rules apply not only to IAS, WBCS and West Bengal Police Service officers, but also to all categories of state government employees, jail staff, employees of government-aided educational institutions, boards, municipalities, municipal corporations and autonomous bodies.

Under the new guidelines, no government employee will be allowed to participate in any media programme without prior approval from the government. Permission from the competent authority has also been made mandatory before attending privately organised or sponsored events.

The directive further prohibits employees from directly or indirectly sharing any official document, administrative paper or confidential government information with the media. Government employees have also been barred from writing articles for newspapers or magazines, editing publications, or participating in radio and broadcast programmes without official clearance.

The notification additionally instructs employees to refrain from making public comments critical of the policies or decisions of the state or central government. It warns that any statement or publication that could adversely affect Centre-state relations or India’s relations with foreign countries may invite disciplinary action.

Sources in the state administration said the order was issued in the backdrop of recent instances where government employees allegedly made comments in the media, expressed opinions on social media platforms and leaked administrative information.

While sections of the political opposition and administrative circles have expressed concern that the move could further restrict freedom of expression among government employees, the state government has defended the decision as necessary to maintain administrative discipline and prevent misuse of official information.

The administration has stated that compliance with the conduct rules will be monitored regularly and that departmental action may be initiated against employees found violating the guidelines.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh