WB Govt Order: Following the conclusion of the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections and the subsequent declaration of results, the Government of West Bengal has issued an unprecedented and stringent administrative directive. On May 4, 2026, the Chief Secretary of the state, Dushyant Nariala, issued a specific order (Order No.95-CS/2026) aimed at ensuring the absolute security of important documents and files across all government departments. Today, we bring our readers a detailed breakdown of this crucial mandate and what it means for the state administration.
Table of Contents
What Does the Directive Explicitly State?
The office order sends a strong message to all Departmental Secretaries and Head of Offices, outlining strict protocols for document handling:
- Total Ban on Moving Files: Under no circumstances can any important paper or file be removed from government offices.
- No Damage or Unwarranted Removal: The intentional or accidental damage, or taking out of any files, is completely prohibited.
- Unauthorized Copying/Scanning Stopped: Any unauthorized copying or scanning of official documents will not be permitted. Doing so without prior approval is considered a serious offense.
- Mandatory Accountability: All files, important papers, and official communications must be properly and meticulously accounted for.
Who is Responsible and What are the Penalties?
The directive makes it abundantly clear that the primary responsibility for strictly enforcing these rules lies with the Head of Departments and Departmental Secretaries. They are required to personally ensure that this order is followed in both “letter and spirit.” In the event of any deviation or violation of these rules, personal responsibility will be fixed on the respective official, potentially leading to severe disciplinary action.
Why Was This Sudden Order Issued?
According to administrative experts, the period immediately following an election and during administrative transitions requires heightened security for sensitive government documents. Dushyant Nariala, who took charge as Chief Secretary in March under the Election Commission’s mandate, issued this order to maintain absolute transparency. As the electoral process concludes, Nabanna has taken this urgent step to prevent any leakage of information, misuse of records, or misplacement of crucial files.
Who Has Received This Order?
A copy of this directive, forwarded by Rajesh Pandey, Additional Chief Secretary to the Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department, has been sent to all Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, the DG & IGP of West Bengal Police, all Divisional Commissioners, the CP of Kolkata Police, and all District Magistrates. Furthermore, a copy has been forwarded for the kind information of the Hon’ble Governor.
What Does This Mean for Government Employees?
This development is highly relevant for all state government employees, as file movement is an integral part of daily administrative tasks. From now on, personnel working with official files, especially those in record rooms or maintenance, must exercise extreme caution. Scanning or copying any document without explicit, written authorization from higher authorities must be strictly avoided. This firm stance on data security during the transition period proves that the state administration is refusing to compromise on the confidentiality of official records.
