Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress general secretary, condemned the West Bengal government’s new regulations that limit its employees from engaging with the media or making government information public. He described these restrictions as a threat to democracy, emphasizing the prohibition on speaking to the press, writing articles, or criticizing the government.
The notification, issued by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, has sparked criticism for its perceived suppression of free expression among state government employees. Banerjee highlighted the directive’s emphasis on obedience over dissent, stating that it stifles fundamental rights and undermines democratic principles.
The restrictions, outlined in the circular, apply to various categories of state government employees, including Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) officers, and personnel in correctional services, educational institutions, and municipal bodies. The guidelines cite existing service conduct rules dating back to the 1950s and 1960s as the basis for these limitations.
