The new BJP government in West Bengal has imposed a complete prohibition on government officials interacting with the media or sharing information without prior permission.
The order, citing Central and state government service rules, applies to IAS, IPS, WBCS, and WBPS officials, as well as other state government employees.
It prohibits officials from appearing in media programs or writing articles for newspapers without government sanction, and also restricts direct or indirect communication with the press.
The order aims to prevent adverse criticism of government policies and decisions, and any act that could strain relations between the state and the Centre, or between the Centre and other nations.
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has alleged that the order is an attempt to silence government employees and curtail their fundamental rights.
