Odisha Govt Restricts Its Employees From Use Of Social Media

Bhubaneswar: The state government on Tuesday asked its employees not to post service related issues on social media as it amounts to misconduct and can attract penalty.

In a letter, Sanjeev Chopra, Principal Secretary, General Administration department told the secretaries of different departments that all government employees, including contractual, must be advised to desist from use of social media for highlighting service related issues.

Using social media for the service related grievances and making reference to higher authorities violates official conduct which can lead to proceedings under the provisions of the Orissa Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1962, the letter stated.

“A Government servant, whether regular or contractual, is required to move service related grievances only through the Controlling authority for consideration of the appointing authority (outlined as proper channel) and through no other extraneous means,” Chopra said.

The letter also told the government servants to desist from writing articles and releasing statements in print/electronic media on the subjects that are critical of the government.

Rule 7 of the Odisha Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1959 especially prohibits Government servants from making any communication in the public, press or media regarding policy or action of the State, the letter mentioned.