Order barring journalists from meeting officials dictatorial: Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress today dubbed as "dictatorial" approach of the Narendra Modi government the order of the Union Home Ministry barring journalists from meeting senior officials.

"It is yet another example of the dictatorial, over centralised" approach of the government, party Spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters adding that this goes against the basic principles of the republic.

Insisting that such an approach could not work in a diverse country like India, he said that the innocuous circular gives the message that the "king" will give only that information which he chooses to give and those wanting it should "wait like beggars....at the mercy of the royalty".

He said that such "one way" communication does not help in providing good governance and transparency in administration. He, however, said such a philosophy and approach is "not surprising" from the Modi administration.

Singhvi's remarks came a day after the Home Ministry barred journalists from meeting senior officials other than the spokesperson and came out with a set of guidelines on dissemination of information to the media.

In the order, the Home Ministry said that the Additional Director General (Media) will be the single point for dissemination of all publicity material to the media including clarifications sought by journalists.

The order angered journalists covering the Home Ministry and they protested saying that they have been getting access to senior officers on appointments and it was nothing but a "gag order".