Shillong, Aug 13: Meghalaya Government, in a circular issued on Friday, has prohibited Government employees from expressing their views to the press or on social media which are in direct conflict with government policies and programmes.

The office of the Commissioner and Secretary Personnel & A.R (A), R Lyngdoh, issued a circular stating that government employees including those posted in PSUs, boards, associations, corporations, societies are violating Rule 8 of the Meghalaya Services (Conduct) Rules, 2019, if they speak to press or post their views on social media criticising government policies, central or state level.

The circular reads, “No government employee shall, in any broadcast over the electronic or social media or in any document published in his/her own name or anonymously, pseudonymously or in the name of any other person or any communication to the press or in any public utterance make any statement of fact or opinion – Which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the Central Government or any State Government; or Which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any State; or Which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any foreign country”.

The government has warned that violation of the order would attract departmental proceedings found in violation of the Rule 8 of the Meghalaya Services (Conduct) Rules, 2019.