All retired bureaucrats appointed by Mamata Banerjee in the West Bengal government have been barred from offices ahead of the formation of the new BJP government in the state. Retired officials who were still serving in various departments have been instructed not to attend office from today, officials said. Sources said the directive was conveyed by the chief secretary to all departmental secretaries and relayed internally across offices.

The move comes amid heightened administrative sensitivity during the transition period, with departments being asked to secure records, files and access points in line with disclosure requirements and handover protocols. Several retired officials who had been functioning as advisers or consultants in different wings have reportedly already resigned and vacated government accommodation.

Officials said the instruction will remain in force until the new government is formally in place. The development marks an early administrative reset as the outgoing setup makes way for the incoming BJP-led dispensation, with attention now turning to continuity, file security and scrutiny of pending departmental decisions.