NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee has criticized the BJP-led West Bengal government for a recent circular that restricts state government employees from making media statements, participating in media debates, and sharing or leaking sensitive information regarding the administration. Banerjee described the circular as an attempt to “enforce silence upon the employees” throughout West Bengal, asserting that if the government “cannot tolerate criticism, it starts crushing dissent.”
“This circular imposes a complete prohibition,” Banerjee stated, emphasizing that it serves not to protect governance but to silence government employees across Bengal. The circular forbids interactions with the press, writing articles, participating in media programs, and expressing any criticism of the state or central government. He argued that the restrictions systematically choke fundamental rights and demand absolute obedience to the ruling authority in Delhi.
“Under @BJP4India’s remote-controlled governance, silence has become an administrative requirement. This shocking circular is not about discipline; it is about curtailing free expression. When a government cannot tolerate criticism, it begins to crush dissent. That is not strength; that is strangulation of democracy,” he stated in a strong condemnation of the government’s actions.
The notification, issued Wednesday night by the state’s Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department and signed by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, cites alignment with the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, the West Bengal Service (Duties, Rights and Obligations of Government Employees) Rules, 1980, and the West Bengal Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1959.
The order applies to IAS, WBCS, and WBPS officers serving under the state government, as well as employees in correctional services, state-aided educational institutions, boards, municipalities, municipal corporations, and autonomous bodies under state administration.
Under the new directives, government employees are prohibited from engaging in or associating with privately produced media programs or any media events sponsored by the Centre without prior approval from the state government. The notification also forbids sharing official documents or information with the media without government authorization. Additionally, employees are restricted from editing or managing publications or participating in radio broadcasts, as well as from writing articles and letters for newspapers or magazines without prior sanction.
Moreover, the order prohibits government employees from making adverse remarks about the policies or decisions of either the Centre or the state government through any form of publication, speech, broadcast, or media interaction. Employees are also restricted from making public statements or contributions that might strain relations between the state government and the Centre, other state governments, or foreign governments.
