THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has issued a circular preventing employees from making public comments through social, audio-visual and print media about government policies without the prior permission of the government.
The Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department (P and ARD) issued the circular asking department heads to take stringent action against officials who violate the rules in case of complaints or when they notice such violations.
The P and ARD has also made it clear it would be considered a serious lapse if departments heads fail to initiate action against erring officials.
As per the Government Servants’ Conduct Rules 60 (A) of 1960, writing or talking against the government’s policies in the public domain or participating in such discussion or criticism is barred.