The West Bengal government has issued fresh restrictions barring state government employees from making media statements, participating in media debates, sharing official documents, or publicly criticising government policies without prior approval.
The notification was issued by the state’s Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department on Wednesday night and signed by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal.
According to the order, the restrictions are based on provisions under the All India Services Conduct Rules, 1968, the West Bengal Service Rules, 1980, and the West Bengal Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1959.
The directives apply to IAS, WBCS, and WBPS officers serving under the state government, along with employees of correctional services, state-aided educational institutions, municipalities, municipal corporations, boards, and autonomous bodies.
The notification prohibits employees from participating in privately produced media programmes or Centre-sponsored media events without prior sanction from the state government. It also bars direct or indirect sharing of official documents or information with the media without authorisation.
Government employees have additionally been restricted from editing or managing newspapers and publications, participating in radio broadcasts, or writing articles and letters for newspapers and magazines without prior approval.
The order also prohibits employees from making adverse comments about policies or decisions of either the Centre or the state government through speeches, publications, broadcasts, or media interactions.
Another clause bars statements or publications that could strain relations between the state government and the Centre, other states, or foreign governments.
Reacting to the order, Abhishek Banerjee criticised the move, calling it an attempt to “enforce silence” among government employees.
In a statement, Banerjee alleged the circular was aimed at curtailing free expression and “systematically choking fundamental rights” to ensure obedience to the BJP leadership.