Suspended officials playing fifth column to opposition: CM

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Saturday alleged that some suspended government officials had been acting as fifth column to the opposition parties by leaking confidential government documents and information to the latter. This information later was used as a tool against the government to mislead people, he said. 

Speaking to reporters, Saha alleged that he had recently received information that a few officials who had been placed under suspension for their tainted activities were violating their official responsibilities and confidentiality obligations by sharing sensitive government records with Opposition leaders.

He alleged that the leaked documents were being used to spread misinformation and level allegations against the government.

"The information is being used to carry out various campaigns and propaganda against the government," the chief minister said.

Saha further asserted that strict action would be taken against any government official found violating service rules or breaching confidentiality norms. He said public servants are expected to uphold official discipline and safeguard confidential government information even after their tenure in office.

The chief minister did not name any of the officials or specify the nature of the documents allegedly leaked. He also did not indicate whether any formal inquiry or legal proceedings had been initiated into the matter.

According to Dr Saha, when the previous government was in power, several officials had been given extensions. "In our term we are giving extension for a period of six months. If an official gets extension for eight times that means he had been reappointed for only a period of four years. There are instances where some officials got extensions for eight years in a row," the Chief Minister said. 

He was speaking in reference to the press conference of Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury who accused the government of extending service of retired officials over and over again. He also raised allegations of corruption against the officials.