Maharashtra issues social media guidelines for government employees, bars criticism of policies

MUMBAI: The Mahayuti government has laid out guidelines for the use of social media by state government employees, which include a bar on criticism of the current and future policies of the state and other governments in the country.

Official documents cannot be shared without approval, and websites and apps banned by the state and central governments cannot be used, sayd the guidelinessay. Violations will invite disciplinary action.The guidelines, which were released on Monday, apply to state government officers and employees and those in local self-government bodies, boards, councils and public undertakings. This includes those doing contractual or outsourced jobs.

The government resolution (GR) mentions a wide gamut of social media, including social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, microblogging sites such as X, video-sharing platforms like Instagram and YouTube, instant messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, and collaborative tools like wiki and discussion forums.The GR issued on Monday states that some dangers have been created by the use of social media, such as the dissemination of confidential information, the spreading of false information, and limits in the withdrawal of wrong information.

"It has been observed that social media is being misused in ways such as giving adverse comments about government policies or any political event or person in violation of the Government Service Rules," it said.The Maharashtra Civil Services (Employment) Rules, 1979, have been framed regarding the conduct of government employees, and these will now apply to social media usage, the government resolution said.The guidelines ask government employees to keep their personal and official social media accounts separate and use social media responsibly.

Websites and apps banned by the central and state governments should not be used. Only a person authorised by the government, with the approval of the competent authority, can use government media for the promotion of government schemes and public participation.The guidelines say employees cannot share or upload confidential documents or office documents, in part or in full, without approval. Messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram can be used for coordination regarding office work.

Employees can post about collective efforts in the success of government schemes but should take care not to indulge in self-praise.While the use of personal photos is allowed, the use of the government name, logo, as well as government property such as vehicles and buildings, should be avoided while uploading photos or videos on personal accounts. Objectionable, hateful, derogatory, and discriminatory content cannot be shared or uploaded. Upon being transferred, the social media accounts related to the office should be handed over immediately.Any employee who violates the guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Disciplinary and Appeal) Rules, 1979.