Ex-intelligence, security officers cannot write books and articles without permission

The Narendra Modi government has barred retired senior security establishment officials from writing books on sensitive issues they may have dealt with during their service.

The order issued by the Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions ministry makes it clear that no government servant, who has worked in any security-related or intelligence organisation, can have any publication post-retirement without clearance from the head of their erstwhile organisation.

The government order reportedly also includes retired officials who write columns for newspapers as well as books about their former organisations.

Those found disobeying the directive could have their pension withheld or withdrawn in full or part. 

The former officials have been barred from publishing sensitive information which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, scientific, security, strategic or economic interests of the country or hamper relations with any foreign country.

The order states that the head of the organisation shall vest with the authority to decide as to whether the proposed material for publication is sensitive or non-sensitive and whether it falls in the domain of the organisation.

The 18 organisations covered by the new rule are the Intelligence Bureau, the Research and Analysis Wing of the Cabinet Secretariat, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police,  Central Industrial Security Force, National Security Guards, Assam Rifles, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Aviation Research Centre, Special Frontier Force, Special Service Bureau, Special Branch (CID) of the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Crime Branch-C.I.D.-CB of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau, the Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau, and the Special Branch, Lakshadweep Police.

• Border Security Force
• Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules 1972
• Central Reserve Police Force
• Intelligence Bureau
• Ministry of Personnel
• Public Grievances and Pensions
• constitutional conduct group
• the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau
• the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
• the Enforcement Directorate
• the Research and Analysis Wing of the Cabinet Secretariat