Post-Poll Transition: WB Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariala Orders Strict Safeguards for Government Files
In the aftermath of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results, the state administration has moved swiftly to secure official records during the sensitive transition of power. Dushyant Nariala, a 1993-batch IAS officer and Chief Secretary of West Bengal, has issued a stringent directive mandating all departments to ensure the protection, accountability, and proper handling of government files and documents.
The order comes immediately after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a sweeping victory in the state elections, ending the 15-year-long rule of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). Against this backdrop, Nariala’s directive seeks to safeguard institutional integrity and ensure transparency during the political transition.
Clear Ban on Removal, Damage, and Unauthorized Access
The directive categorically prohibits the removal, damage, or destruction of any official documents from government offices, including the state secretariat Nabanna and other administrative establishments in Kolkata. It also imposes a strict ban on:
Unauthorized copying of files
Scanning or digitisation without prior approval
Movement of records outside official premises
“All departmental secretaries and heads of offices have been instructed to ensure that no important paper or any file is removed, damaged, or otherwise taken out from the offices. No unauthorised copying or scanning of documents will be permitted,” Nariala stated in the order.
Personal Accountability Fixed on Senior Officials
In a significant move, the Chief Secretary has placed direct personal responsibility on departmental secretaries and heads of offices for compliance. The directive emphasizes that:
All files, communications, and important papers must be properly accounted for at all times
Department heads must ensure strict adherence “in letter and spirit”
Any deviation will attract personal accountability
“Personal responsibility shall be fixed for any instance of deviation,” the order stressed, underlining the seriousness of the directive.
Immediate Implementation Across Departments
Officials confirmed that the order has come into effect immediately, with all departments instructed to strengthen internal protocols related to document handling and record security. Measures include tightening access control mechanisms, maintaining updated records and file inventories, and monitoring document movement within offices. The directive aims to eliminate any possibility of tampering, loss, or unauthorized duplication of sensitive government records.
Context: Political Transition After Election Results
The timing of the directive is crucial, coming directly after the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results signaled a major political shift. Transition phases are often considered sensitive from an administrative standpoint, particularly regarding the preservation of official records and institutional continuity.
Ensuring Transparency and Institutional Integrity
By safeguarding files and official documents, the government aims to preserve institutional memory, prevent misuse or destruction of records, and ensure smooth administrative continuity. The move also sends a strong message regarding adherence to procedural integrity and responsibility among officials.
Fixing Accountability
The West Bengal government’s directive highlights the critical importance of record security during periods of political change. By enforcing strict controls and fixing accountability, the administration is seeking to maintain transparency and safeguard the integrity of governance systems at a crucial juncture.
