After the BJP had a huge win in the West Bengal elections, the most important administrative officer for the state moved to lock down official records. On Monday, May and 2024, Dushyant Nariala told all departments to secure all important documents. He warned against documents being taken, harmed, or copied without permission, because of the large win by the BJP.
Why the directive now
The order doesn’t say why it’s being given, but the timing is noticeable. It was issued while the BJP was obviously going to win by a lot, and this will end Mamata Banerjee’s fifteen years as the government, which is a time when keeping records and continuing administrative work is often difficult.
Officials are to start following the directions immediately. Departments are expected to quickly strengthen how they control and protect files.
What officials have been told
Nariala’s official statement makes accountability the main point. Senior administrators are directly responsible for protecting the files and ensuring there’s a complete history of where paperwork is at all times within offices.
The key instructions, as stated in the order, are clear and non-negotiable:
– No removal or damage of important files
– No unauthorised copying or scanning
– Proper accounting of files and communications
– Personal responsibility fixed for any deviation
Because of this focus on personal responsibility, following the order is now more important. Department leaders have been told to follow the order completely and in every detail.
Who has been put on notice
The order has gone to all levels of the state’s administration, being sent to Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries in all departments. They are responsible for making sure these controls are used within their own teams.
Beyond the main government offices, the police and those working in the field were specifically included. The Director General and Inspector General of Police, Divisional Commissioners, the Commissioner of Kolkata Police and all District Magistrates all received the order. A copy was also sent to the Governor’s Secretary so they know about it.
This wide reach means nothing will be missed as files move between departments, different areas of the state and police forces. It also shows that keeping track of records is something that both civil and police administration share responsibility for.
What changes on the ground
Actually, the order demands a much more detailed system for following documents. Offices must be able to show where every important paper, file and official message is at any time and prevent anyone from making unauthorized copies.
Department Heads and Department Secretaries are required to check themselves that the order is being followed. This personal guarantee will likely cause internal checks and more strict rules about who can access important information.
Immediate steps expected
Departments have been advised to act at once. Based on the directive, administrators are likely to prioritise the following now:
– Reconfirm file registers and access logs
– Restrict copying and scanning permissions
– Monitor movement of records between offices
Why it matters for governance
Changes in power can put pressure on systems that need accurate records. By stopping files from being moved or changed, the state hopes to protect the official history of the reasons for decisions, the details of agreements and letters that are the basis of programs that are continuing.
The order also tells party workers that the government’s knowledge and experience will be kept. Because senior officials will be personally held responsible, they will clearly have to deal with consequences if something goes wrong. This could stop both carelessness and attempts to affect things.
What comes next
With this order in place, the important thing will be to actually do it. Departments must make the guidance part of their daily work, and balance keeping records safe with continuing to provide public services.
The fact that the order goes to Secretaries at the top, as well as leaders in the districts and the police, suggests that how well it is followed will be watched carefully. Right now, the bureaucracy’s message is very clear: protect the files, keep the record safe, and make sure the government keeps functioning during this change.
