TMC General Secy Abhishek Banerjee NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee Thursday criticised the BJP-led West Bengal government for restricting the government employee from making media statements, participating in media debates, “sharing government documents or leaking sensitive information” related to the administration.Calling the state governemnt’s circular an attempt to “enforce silence upon the employees” across Bengal, Banerjee said if government “cannot tolerate ciriticism, it starts crushing dissent”. Watch KMC Issues Notices To 17 Properties Linked To Abhishek Banerjee In Building Violation Probe“Complete prohibition.” The phrase echoes through this circular like a WARNING – not to protect governance, but to ENFORCE SILENCE upon Govt employees across #Bengal. No speaking to the press. No writing articles. No participating in media programs. No criticism of the Centre or State government. No expression that may strain relations with Delhi,” the Diamond Harbour MP said.He said the circular was meant to curtail express free expression by “systematically choking fundamental rights” to ensure absoulte obedience to the masters sitting in Delhi”.”Under @BJP4India’s remote-controlled governance, SILENCE IS NOW AN ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENT. This shocking circular is not about discipline, it is about CURTAILING FREE EXPRESSION and SYSTEMATICALLY CHOKING FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS to ensure absolute obedience to the masters sitting in Delhi. In short: THINK AS YOU ARE TOLD. SPEAK ONLY WHEN PERMITTED. When a government cannot tolerate criticism, it starts crushing dissent. That is not strength – that is STRANGULATION OF DEMOCRACY!” he further said.The notification, issued by the state’s Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department on Wednesday night and signed by chief secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, said the restrictions are in line with provisions under 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, along with employees of correctional services, state-aided educational institutions, boards, municipalities, municipal corporations and autonomous bodies under the state administration.Under the new directives, government employees have been barred from participating in or associating with privately produced media programmes or media events sponsored by the Centre without prior approval from the state government.The notification also prohibits any direct or indirect sharing of official documents or information with the media without government authorisation.Employees have further been restricted from editing or managing newspapers, periodicals or other publications, as well as from participating in radio broadcasts or writing articles and letters for newspapers or magazines without prior sanction.The order also bars government employees from making adverse remarks against policies or decisions of either the Centre or the state government through publications, speeches, broadcasts or media interactions.Additionally, employees have been prohibited from making any public statement or media contribution that could strain ties between the state government and the Centre, other state governments, or foreign governments.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia At UN Accuses Pakistan Of ‘Barbaric’ Kabul Hospital Airstrike During RamadanIndia Pushes Nuclear Expansion And SMR Manufacturing In Major Talks With US DelegationRs 600 Crore Railway Land Clearance In Mumbai Triggers Violence During Eviction DriveBengal Orders Mandatory Singing Of ‘Vande Mataram’ In All Recognised Madrasahs Across StatePM Modi Returns From Europe, Calls Crucial Ministerial Meeting Amid West Asia CrisisTMC Faces Double Setback As MLAs Skip Protest And Councillors Resign In Two MunicipalitiesFalta Re-Poll Begins After Irregularities; Voters Say They Can Finally Vote Without FearTMC Alleges Post-Poll Violence, Harassment Of Workers During Kolkata ProtestModi-Meloni Talks Boost India-Italy Defence, IMEC And Technology Cooperation’India Won’t Tolerate Any Form Of Nuclear Blackmail’: Rajnath Singh In South Korea123Photostories10 hottest places in India today and things travellers should know before visitingSattu Sharbat to Milk with Sugar: Ministry of Ayush recommends general food measures to fight heatwaveBest plants to grow in India before the monsoon arrives8 Indian villages that feel straight out of a fairytale and are perfect for a slow travel escapeLove nail art but nails keep breaking? 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TMC General Secy Abhishek Banerjee
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee Thursday criticised the BJP-led West Bengal government for restricting the government employee from making media statements, participating in media debates, “sharing government documents or leaking sensitive information” related to the administration.Calling the state governemnt’s circular an attempt to “enforce silence upon the employees” across Bengal, Banerjee said if government “cannot tolerate ciriticism, it starts crushing dissent”.“Complete prohibition.” The phrase echoes through this circular like a WARNING – not to protect governance, but to ENFORCE SILENCE upon Govt employees across #Bengal. No speaking to the press. No writing articles. No participating in media programs. No criticism of the Centre or State government. No expression that may strain relations with Delhi,” the Diamond Harbour MP said.He said the circular was meant to curtail express free expression by “systematically choking fundamental rights” to ensure absoulte obedience to the masters sitting in Delhi”.“Under @BJP4India’s remote-controlled governance, SILENCE IS NOW AN ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENT. This shocking circular is not about discipline, it is about CURTAILING FREE EXPRESSION and SYSTEMATICALLY CHOKING FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS to ensure absolute obedience to the masters sitting in Delhi. In short: THINK AS YOU ARE TOLD. SPEAK ONLY WHEN PERMITTED. When a government cannot tolerate criticism, it starts crushing dissent. That is not strength – that is STRANGULATION OF DEMOCRACY!” he further said.The notification, issued by the state’s Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department on Wednesday night and signed by chief secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, said the restrictions are in line with provisions under 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, along with employees of correctional services, state-aided educational institutions, boards, municipalities, municipal corporations and autonomous bodies under the state administration.Under the new directives, government employees have been barred from participating in or associating with privately produced media programmes or media events sponsored by the Centre without prior approval from the state government.The notification also prohibits any direct or indirect sharing of official documents or information with the media without government authorisation.Employees have further been restricted from editing or managing newspapers, periodicals or other publications, as well as from participating in radio broadcasts or writing articles and letters for newspapers or magazines without prior sanction.The order also bars government employees from making adverse remarks against policies or decisions of either the Centre or the state government through publications, speeches, broadcasts or media interactions.Additionally, employees have been prohibited from making any public statement or media contribution that could strain ties between the state government and the Centre, other state governments, or foreign governments.
