West Bengal Govt Imposes Sweeping Restrictions on Media Interaction by Govt.Employees & Civil and Administratiive Officers, Police, Autonomous Boards, Educational Inst.

KalimNews, May 21, 2026 : The Government of West Bengal has issued a far-reaching directive imposing stringent restrictions on how government employees and officers may interact with the media, disclose information, publish opinions, or participate in public communication platforms without official approval.

The order, issued through Circular No. 139-CS/2026 dated May 19, 2026, by Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, reiterates existing service conduct rules while directing “strict compliance” by all state government employees and institutions funded by the state.

The circular was formally circulated on May 20, 2026, by the Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department from Nabanna, Howrah, to all departments, divisional commissioners, district magistrates, police administrations, and subordinate offices across West Bengal.

The directive applies to:

• Members of the All India Services, including IAS and IPS officers

• West Bengal Civil Service officers

• West Bengal Police Service personnel

• Police and jail staff

• Employees of all state government departments

• Autonomous bodies, boards, corporations, and undertakings

• Educational institutions wholly or substantially funded by the State Government

• Members of the All India Services serving in connection with the affairs of the State

The circular cites 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, stating that these rules clearly define the limits of interaction between government employees and the media.

The government has specifically reiterated five major prohibitions and directions for strict enforcement.

The first direction imposes a complete prohibition, except with prior government sanction, on any participation or association of government employees in sponsored or privately produced media programmes. The restriction also includes media programmes sponsored by the Government of India if such programmes are produced by outside agencies. This means that no government employee or officer covered under the rules may participate in television debates, private news discussions, sponsored digital programmes, interviews, panel discussions, or similar media activities without obtaining prior approval from the government.

The second direction introduces a complete prohibition on directly or indirectly communicating any document, file, official paper, or government information to the press without a government order. The circular makes it clear that no member of the services may disclose information to newspapers, television channels, digital platforms, journalists, or any section of the media unless specifically authorized by the government. The restriction applies both to direct disclosure and indirect transmission of official information.

The third direction bars government employees, without prior sanction, from contributing to the editing or management of newspapers, periodicals, journals, or any other publication. It further prohibits participation in radio broadcasts or the writing of articles, opinion pieces, columns, or letters for newspapers and magazines without prior permission from the government. This effectively places restrictions on independent public commentary, editorial involvement, and media writing by serving government personnel unless officially cleared.

The fourth direction imposes a complete prohibition on making any adverse criticism of the policies or decisions of either the State Government or the Central Government. According to the circular, no employee may criticize government decisions through publications, speeches, interviews, broadcasts, social media contributions, media interactions, public statements, or any other form of communication. The restriction extends across all forms of media and public expression.

The fifth direction prohibits any publication, statement, broadcast, interaction, or media contribution that could potentially strain relations between the State Government and the Central Government, between West Bengal and other states, or between the Government of India and foreign countries. The circular directs employees to avoid any communication that could negatively affect intergovernmental or international relations.

The government has instructed all departments and administrative heads to ensure strict implementation of these directives and to circulate the order widely among all subordinate offices and employees.

The circular has already sparked intense debate in political, administrative, legal, and media circles, with many describing it as one of the most comprehensive recent restrictions on public communication by government employees in West Bengal.

According to the state government, however, the directive is intended to reinforce administrative discipline, regulate dissemination of official information, maintain neutrality in public service, and ensure adherence to long-standing conduct rules governing government employees.