Maharashtra bars government employees from criticising its policies on social media

Maharashtra has barred government employees from criticising the policies of past or present governments in the state and at the Centre on social media, PTI quoted a new directive from the General Administration Department as saying on Monday.

The directive applies to all state government employees, including those on deputation, working on contract or recruited through external agencies.

The restrictions also extend to staff of local self-government bodies, corporations, boards and public sector undertakings.

The order instructs government staff to use social media “consciously and responsibly”, warning that violations will be treated as a breach of 1979 Maharashtra Civil Services Conduct Rules and will invite disciplinary action, PTI reported.

Employees have also been told to maintain separate social media accounts for personal and official use and avoid overlap between private opinions and official duties, The Indian Express reported.

The directive prohibits “posting, sharing or forwarding of any objectionable, hateful, defamatory or discriminatory content”. It also bars employees from uploading or forwarding “confidential or official documents”, in part or whole, on any platform without authorisation.

“Only authorised personnel, and that too with prior approval from competent authorities, are permitted to disseminate or promote government schemes, programmes and initiatives via official digital channels,” the newspaper quoted the government resolution as saying.

The use of “unofficial platforms” for outreach activities has also been...

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