Tripura CM Dr Manik Saha alleged suspended government officials leaked confidential documents to opposition parties, claiming the information was used to spread misinformation against the government. He warned of strict action against officials violating service rules and defended the state’s policy on service extensions.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Saturday alleged that certain suspended government officials had been acting as a “fifth column” for opposition parties by leaking confidential government documents and sensitive information, which he claimed were later used to mislead the public and launch propaganda campaigns against the state government.
Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said he had recently received information indicating that a few officials, who had been suspended over alleged irregularities and misconduct, were violating their official responsibilities by sharing confidential government records with opposition leaders. According to him, the leaked information was subsequently used to spread misinformation and make allegations against the government.
“The information is being used to carry out various campaigns and propaganda against the government,” Dr. Saha said, expressing concern over what he described as a serious breach of official confidentiality.
The Chief Minister warned that the government would take strict action against any official found violating service rules or breaching confidentiality obligations. He emphasized that government employees are expected to maintain official discipline and protect sensitive government information even after retirement or suspension, in accordance with service conduct rules.
However, Dr. Saha did not disclose the identities of the suspended officials allegedly involved in the leaks. He also refrained from revealing the nature of the confidential documents or confirming whether any formal inquiry or legal proceedings had already been initiated into the allegations.
The Chief Minister also addressed recent criticism by Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury regarding the repeated extension of service to retired government officials. Chaudhury had alleged that the state government was repeatedly extending the tenure of retired officials and had also raised corruption allegations against some of them.
Responding to the criticism, Dr. Saha defended the government’s policy, stating that the present administration grants service extensions only for six months at a time. He explained that even if an official received eight such extensions, it would amount to a total of only four years of reappointment.
“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 four years. There are instances where some officials got extensions for eight years in a row during the previous government,” the Chief Minister said.
Dr. Saha’s remarks came amid an ongoing political exchange between the ruling BJP government and the opposition over administrative functioning, transparency, and governance. His allegations are expected to intensify the political debate over confidentiality, accountability, and the conduct of government officials in Tripura.
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The state government has maintained that it remains committed to ensuring administrative discipline and taking appropriate action against anyone found violating official rules or compromising confidential government information.
