The Crossbill News Desk
The West Bengal government has issued fresh instructions restricting state employees from interacting with the media without prior approval, reiterating existing conduct rules governing public communication by government personnel.
The move, communicated through a circular issued by Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, has drawn attention for tightening norms related to media participation and public commentary by officials.
In the circular, Agarwal referred to provisions under the 1968 All India Service Conduct Rules, the 1980 West Bengal Service Duties, Rights and Obligations of Government Employees Rules and the 1959 West Bengal Government Servants Conduct Rules.
According to the circular, these rules define the “nature of and limitations on” interactions with the media.
The chief secretary said that there would be a “complete prohibition, except with prior sanction, on the participation or association of any member of the services in any sponsored or privately produced media programme or any media programme sponsored by the government of India but produced by an outside agency”, The Indian Express reported.
The circular also noted that there would be a “complete prohibition without any governmental order” on any direct or indirect communication of any document or information with the press by the members of the services.
It prohibited contributions “in editing or managing of any newspaper, periodical or any other publication and on any participation in any radio broadcast or writing of any article or letter for any newspaper or periodical by any member of the services”.
The circular further barred government employees from criticising policies or decisions of the state or Union government through publications, media interactions, broadcasts, statements, or any other form of communication, the newspaper reported.
The directives apply not only to state government employees but also to staff of autonomous bodies, boards, corporations, undertakings and educational institutions substantially funded by the government.
Members of the All India Services serving in connection with state government affairs have also been brought under the scope of the instructions. The circular has renewed debate over the extent of restrictions on government employees’ public expression and engagement with the media.
The move, communicated through a circular issued by Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, has drawn attention for tightening norms related to media participation and public commentary by officials.
In the circular, Agarwal referred to provisions under the 1968 All India Service Conduct Rules, the 1980 West Bengal Service Duties, Rights and Obligations of Government Employees Rules and the 1959 West Bengal Government Servants Conduct Rules.
According to the circular, these rules define the “nature of and limitations on” interactions with the media.
The chief secretary said that there would be a “complete prohibition, except with prior sanction, on the participation or association of any member of the services in any sponsored or privately produced media programme or any media programme sponsored by the government of India but produced by an outside agency”, The Indian Express reported.
The circular also noted that there would be a “complete prohibition without any governmental order” on any direct or indirect communication of any document or information with the press by the members of the services.
It prohibited contributions “in editing or managing of any newspaper, periodical or any other publication and on any participation in any radio broadcast or writing of any article or letter for any newspaper or periodical by any member of the services”.
The circular further barred government employees from criticising policies or decisions of the state or Union government through publications, media interactions, broadcasts, statements, or any other form of communication, the newspaper reported.
The directives apply not only to state government employees but also to staff of autonomous bodies, boards, corporations, undertakings and educational institutions substantially funded by the government.
Members of the All India Services serving in connection with state government affairs have also been brought under the scope of the instructions. The circular has renewed debate over the extent of restrictions on government employees’ public expression and engagement with the media.
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