The West Bengal government has introduced a set of guidelines for its employees, encompassing restrictions on media engagement, disclosure of government information, and publicizing official documents. These directives, outlined in a notification by the state’s personnel administrative reforms department and endorsed by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, are based on existing regulations such as the All India Service (AIS) Conduct Rules, 1968, West Bengal Service Rules 1980, and West Bengal Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1959.
The restrictions apply to various categories of employees, including Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) officers, West Bengal Police Service (WBPS) officers, correctional services staff, state-aided educational institutions personnel, and employees of state-run boards, municipalities, municipal corporations, and autonomous bodies under the state government. Employees are prohibited from participating in media programs or events not sanctioned by the government and from sharing official documents or information with the media without authorization.
Furthermore, the guidelines forbid employees from engaging in editing or managing publications, contributing to radio broadcasts, writing for newspapers or periodicals, or criticizing government policies or decisions through any media platform. Additionally, employees are barred from making any statements or actions that could strain relations between the state government, the Central government, or foreign governments.
