UP Govt prohibits employees from writing about government decisions on social media without permission

The Uttar Pradesh government has recently issued a circular that introduces new norms for state employees regarding their engagement on media platforms. This move has sparked reactions from officers and has been seen as a significant policy shift by the government.
According to the circular issued by Additional Chief Secretary, Appointment and Personnel, Devesh Chaturvedi, state employees are now prohibited from discussing, posting, or writing about government decisions on social media, print, electronic, digital, or broadcast media without prior permission. This circular is an extension of existing rules that require government employees to obtain official permission before engaging in any form of media-related activities.
The circular cites Section 3 (2) of the UP Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1956, which states that every government employee must conduct themselves in accordance with specific government orders aimed at regulating their behavior and conduct.
New provisions have been introduced regarding newspapers, radio, and criticism of the government. Violation of these norms or leaking crucial information from government circulars will result in strict action.
Under the new guidelines, government employees must obtain prior permission from the authorities concerned in the state government before writing articles, opinion pieces, or commentaries in newspapers, magazines, or digital platforms. While some compare these guidelines to a gag order, others argue that they are necessary to ensure that information disseminated by government employees aligns with the policies of the state government, preventing the outflow of sensitive or conflicting information.
It is important to note that the directive does not restrict all forms of expression. The circular excludes artistic, literary, and scientific articles written by government employees from this restriction, allowing them to contribute to cultural and scientific discourse without prior approval, as long as their writings do not promote a political or administrative narrative.
The restriction primarily applies to making political posts or those related to state government policies on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, or any other form of digital media.
Supporters of the guideline argue that it is a necessary step to maintain the integrity and uniformity of governmental communication, preventing the spread of misinformation and ensuring that all public communications align with the official line.
However, critics view this as another attempt to curb freedom of expression, believing that such measures would stifle the thought process of government employees and discourage them from sharing their valuable opinions on policies.
In light of these new regulations, government employees who wish to express their views on topics beyond art, culture, science, or literature will need to submit their proposed writings for review and await official clearance before publication.
Criticism nhi jhel skte to credit lene ka bhi hq nhi…
Censorship, mitron?