Govt offi­cials leak­ing 'sensitive' information to media may face OSA action

New Delhi: The Union government has warned officials of all ministries that sharing "classified/sensitive" information with media could attract proceedings under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). 

Who has issued this circular?

A classified note was circulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) last month to secretaries of all ministries and department, according to the Hindustan Times reports.

What does the circular say?

The MHA has updated a circular, which was sent out 28 years ago, by adding the threat of proceedings under OSA.

According to the reports, the circular mentioned that 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.”

As per the Hindustan Times reports, the circular also targets “any unauthorized communication with the media” and says this should be responded to with “suitable action”. To be sure, the 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 unauthorized 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," said the note, reported by the HT, citing people who spoke on condition of anonymity.

What did MHA say about the circular?

The PIB and the MHA spokespersons didn't respond after the HT reached out to them.

The original circular which was 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.

According to the HT report, 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.