AGARTALA, April 24 (TIWN): Clarifying State Govt’s stand on press’s acccess to top layer officials, Tripura Law Minister Ratanlal Nath said that there is no restriction between media and officials but only Secretaries, DMs, DGP can touch Govt’s actions and plans’ for discussions.

Addressing media, Minister Ratanlal Nath said, “On 9^th May, on behalf of State Govt, a notification was circulated under Tripura-Civil-Service-Conduct-Rules-1988, stating about the barriers of the officers and their rights, what they are supposed to do and what not”.

“There it was stated, few Govt officials who are unauthorized persons are talking to the print and electronic media, which is not right. Thus Govt authorized DGP, Secretaries, DM level to can talk about the Policy and Actions of the Govt. Other officers can talk to media but on Govt’s policy and action, they should not talk. Like, what action Tripura Govt will take tomorrow, it can not be said by other officials”, said Nath.

“But few sections were confused and allegations raised that officers are not talking to media. I want to clear that except policy and actions, other issues can be discussed. Thus, we have also allowed SDM to give press release on Govt data”, said Nath.