Sikkim circular to government employees on service conduct rules : Committee formed to oversee content published in websites social media platforms

PRAKASH ADHIKARI, EOI, GANGTOK, FEBRUARY 10, 2023 :   In a circular issued on Friday the Sikkim Government said the service rules restricted a government servant from participating in radio broadcast or electronic media, including social media websites, or contributing articles or writing letters in newspapers and periodicals either in his own name or anonymously or pseudonymously or in the name of any other person without the previous sanction of the government.

It had come to the notice of the State Government that employees were posting reactions on policies and actions of the Government through various social media platforms. This violated Sikkim Government Service Conduct rules 1981.

IPR: As per the notification dated 06 February 2023,issued by Home Department, the State Government of Sikkim has set up a committee to examine the government and private websites operating within the State. 

The panel held its first meeting under the chairmanship of Shri Karma R. Bonpo, Secretary of  Commerce and Industries Department at the conference hall of the Commerce and Industries Department today. 

Ms Namrata Thapa, Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department, Shri Yogendra Sharma, Secretary, Information Technology Department, Shri Prakash Chettri, Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Shri Basant Kr. Lama, Secretary, Culture  Department were present at the meeting.

This committee is empowered to oversee and revoke content moderation related to contexts, videos, brochures, pamphlets, websites, etc published by social media platforms and other stakeholders in the State. 

The panel also discussed about important concerns raised regarding misinformation opened to civil society at large, which might hamper the State’s reputation. 

The committee will send a general notice to all stakeholders including the general public who will be involved in sharing contexts that are disturbing and might create disharmony and disturb tranquility in the society.