The circular listed a set of rules and guidelines for the government employees to follow and warned them of disciplinary action if violated.
The J&K administration on Friday issued a circular barring the government employees and their “dependents” from criticising the government, its actions and policies on social media or in the public.
The circular listed a set of rules and guidelines for the government employees to follow and warned them of disciplinary action if violated.
The circular has reiterated the set of guidelines, for use of social media by the government employees, that were first issued in December 2017.
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“It is accordingly enjoined upon all employees working in various government departments/ PSUs/ Corporations/ Boards/ Autonomous Bodies etc. to strictly adhere to the guidelines and legal principles… and refrain from indulging in unwarranted debates/ discussions and sharing/ commenting/ posting inappropriate posts/ content on social media platforms,” reads the circular, adding: “Violation of these guidelines/rules shall tantamount to misconduct and invite disciplinary action against the delinquent official under the relevant rules.”
The circular bans any criticism of the J&K government, Central government or the government of any other state by the employees or their dependents.
Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. ... Read More