Union Govt Says Official Secrets Act Could Be Invoked Against Officials Sharing 'Classified' Info With Media
New Delhi: The Union government has warned officials in all ministries and departments that sharing “classified/sensitive” information with media could attract proceedings under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). This message was communicated through a classified note circulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) last month to secretaries of all ministries and department, reported Hindustan Times.
The MHA has updated a circular which was issued 28 years ago and has added the threat of proceedings under OSA to it. As per the circular, the move was prompted by a “spurt in the incidents of leakage of sensitive information to unauthorized or undesirable elements having potential of jeopardizing the overall national interest and security besides being a source of embarrassment to the government.”
The HT report added that the circular also targets “any unauthorised communication with the media” and says this should be responded to with “suitable action”. This provision does not apply to authorised spokespersons.
“It is the duty of all government servants to safeguard the information and documents to which they have access in the course of their official duties. Any unauthorised communication with the media should be dealt with by suitable action, and in case of sharing of any classified/ sensitive information, stringent action under the Official Secrets Act needs to be contemplated,” says the note, reported HT, citing persons who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The newspaper reached out to the PIB and the MHA spokespersons but didn’t receive any response.
The original circular issued in December 1998 didn’t have any reference to OSA and instead was more of an advisory.
“It is reiterated that such a delinquency on the part of a government servant is a clear violation of the Rule 11 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules,’’ the circular reads.
The HT report added that the government note asks officials to direct any queries from journalists to the Press Information Bureau (PIB) or ask for the secretary’s permission before responding.
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