Bihar’s cabinet, under CM Nitish Kumar, has passed a landmark resolution imposing tough controls on government workers’ social media activities. This ‘strict order’ from the General Administration Department invokes the 1976 Conduct Rules to address growing concerns over platform misuse.
Cabinet Secretary revealed that employees have been caught improperly using apps like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. To counter this, a robust set of dos and don’ts has been formulated, emphasizing responsible online presence.
Among the highlights: No social media accounts without explicit superior permission. Official contact details are off-limits for profiles. Avoid posts that tarnish official stature or state image. Steer clear of content mixing personal views with job responsibilities or portraying official successes as individual triumphs.
Employees cannot run anonymous handles, critique or praise politicians, lawyers, media, or public bodies, opine on policies or court rulings, share sensitive data, promote businesses, or live-stream office events. Bans extend to coaching sessions, monetization, leaking documents, exposing vulnerable identities, hate speech, superior-bashing, and protest icons in DPs.
This policy arrives amid rising digital scrutiny on public servants. The cabinet’s broader agenda saw 31 items greenlit, covering diverse administrative reforms and signaling proactive governance in Bihar.