Government restricts entry to financial services department

Following reports of alleged leaking of sensitive information from various ministries, the department of financial services, which includes banking and insurance divisions, has decided to restrict visitors’ entry into office premises.

Following reports of alleged leaking of sensitive information from various ministries, the department of financial services, which includes banking and insurance divisions, has decided to restrict visitors’ entry into office premises.

Only those with prior appointments would be allowed inside the department, sources said.

“Entry into the financial services department has become tough. It is restricted to only a few, unlike earlier when it was easy to go in and meet officials.”

Sources said the move was to ensure that sensitive and confidential information is not leaked,” a source familiar with the development told Hindustan Times.

“The aim is not to create an extreme environment. But maintaining the secrecy of some information is crucial,” said an official source.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the ‘leakgate’ scandal, has made several arrests in connection with this.

It could extend its probe into the corporate affairs ministry as well to check if the ministry sold confidential information and documents to companies.

Reports have suggested that officials in key ministries, including finance, commerce and petroleum, have been involved in selling sensitive information to companies.

In an effort to curb any leaks in future, the department of economic affairs (DEA) has also restricted officials from accessing private websites and domains. According to the orders, officials can access only those websites with government domains – ‘nic.in’ and ‘gov.in.’