Seek Approval For Media Articles Before Sending It For Publication, NITI Aayog To Its Officials: Report

While quoting the sources, Indian Express reported that in addition to the written notification, NITI Aayog employees have been informed orally to comply with the instruction.

NITI Aayog's CEO Parameswaran Iyer.

The NITI Aayog has directed its officials to get "all Op-Eds/ pieces" cleared — by the CEO in the case of senior officials, and by the "respective advisors" in the case of junior officials — before submitting them to any media outlet for "external publication," Indian Express reported. 

“The undersigned is directed to convey for strict compliance that all Op-Eds/Articles written by Officers/ Officials of NITI Aayog, in which they identify themselves as an officer/ official/ employee of NITI Aayog, that are sent for external publication in newspapers/ magazines/ news sites etc. must be duly approved by the respective Adviser… Articles by Senior Advisers/ Advisers/ Vertical Heads should be approved by the CEO," reads the NITI Aayog's official communication addressed to its officials. 

“All Op-Eds/Articles have to be sent for publication only through the Communications Vertical… The Communications Vertical will take the final call on whether the Op-Ed/ Article meets the minimum acceptable quality standards for external publication,” it said.

While quoting the sources, Indian Express reported that in addition to the written notification, NITI Aayog employees have been informed orally to comply with the instruction.

According to reports, this was communicated lately during one of the Monday meetings attended by NITI Vice Chairman Suman Bery, CEO Parameswaran Iyer, and other members and officials, Indian Express reported.

Bery took over as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog on May 1, 2022, while Iyer joined on July 11.

“NITI Aayog, a government think tank, has issued general advisories from time to time, encouraging due diligence while publishing articles. It is unfortunate that. The Indian Express seems to be misinterpreting routine advisories. NITI Aayog has consistently encouraged its employees to think and express themselves creatively, keeping in mind government conduct rules," NITI Aayog's official spokesperson informed Indian Express. 

However, the spokesperson did not indicate the dates on which such alerts were made. According to reports, no such notification has recently been issued.

Given NITI Aayog's status as a think tank, the decision is significant. NITI Aayog has roughly a dozen Advisers who lead various sections and verticals. Advisers and Senior Advisers are Joint Secretaries and Additional Secretaries, respectively. There are also various vertical heads.