Directorate of Family Welfare issues social media guidelines to employees

Srinagar, Sept 26: In response to the misuse of social media, particularly the posting of vulgar and obscene comments by certain employees within the Directorate of Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization in Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Tuesday issued social media guidelines for its employees.
They have cautioned that disciplinary actions may be taken against those who continue such behaviour.
As per circular issued by Dr Tabassum Jabeen, Director, Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization, J&K on Tuesday reads that it has been observed that in the Department of Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization J&K, some employees are misusing the social media platform by posting vulgar, obscene and un-necessary tweets/contents/ comments against the department which defames the working/reputation of the department.
“The “Administrator” of the said social media platform as well as concerned employees if they are serving in the department are liable for disciplinary action under the relevant rules,” it said.
The circular reiterates the main features of guidelines already notified on March 24 regarding use of social media for compliance by the government employees that no Government employees shall post tweet or share content that is political or anti secular and communal in nature or subscribe to pages, communities or twitter handles and blogs of such nature.
“Government employees shall not post on social media, any such contents or comments about co-workers or individuals, that are vulgar, obscene, threatening, intimidating or that violate the conduct rules or employees. No Government employee shall post grievances pertaining to their workplace on social media in the form of videos, posts, tweets or blogs or in any other form, but will follow the already established channels of complaint redressal existing in the departments,” it said.
The circular further stated that government employees shall not indulge in sharing/partaking in so-called giveaways and contests on social media platforms, which are actually scams in disguise, as they could unknowingly spread malware or trick people into giving away sensitive data by sharing it on their profiles.
“It is accordingly enjoined upon all employees working in the Department of Family MCH & Immunization J&K to strictly adhere to the guidelines and legal principles reproduced herein above and issued vide Government order and refrain from indulging in unwarranted debates, discussions and commenting. Posting inappropriate posts/ content on social media platforms,” it said.
The Circular stated that violation of these guidelines/rules shall tantamount to misconduct and invite disciplinary action against the delinquent official under the relevant rules”.
On March 24, the government had issued a circular barring its staff from criticising the government, its actions and policies on social media or in the public.
“No Government employee shall post, tweet or share content that is political or anti-secular and communal in nature or subscribe to pages, communities or Twitter handles and blogs of such nature,”.
“Violation of these guidelines/rules shall tantamount to misconduct and invite disciplinary action against the delinquent official under the relevant rules,” it said.
The circular reads that it had been observed that government employees often engage themselves on social media platforms in a manner which is in contravention to service and other rules.
“While using different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or instant messaging applications like WhatsApp and Telegram, the employees have been seen to air disparaging views on subjects that they are expressly barred under rules to comment upon,” it added.