SAKP Flays Move to Monitor Employees’ Social Media Activity

Education department calls for disciplinary action against erring persons

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: While the State government is strictly monitoring various platforms in the social media, especially with regards to government employees after the movement against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act-2019, the SAKP has come out strongly against the government’s move.

The Director, Elementary Education Department, Assam, on Tuesday asked its respective offices to intimate of the follow-up action taken in this context. The decision has been taken following a direction by the Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Assam, Elementary Education, on December 19.

“It has come to the notice of the Government that violating the provisions of Assam Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1964, a section of Government employees, including contractual employment and others, have been indulging and participating in political activities in different social media forums like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, and other social media platforms,” the Commissioner and Secretary’s office order said, and added, “The Department of Education has formed a monitoring cell so as to monitor such prohibited activities.”

The order further stated, “It is for general information of all concerned that the Government of Assam will be compelled to initiate strict disciplinary action against individuals who are deliberately violating provisions of the Assam Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1964.”

Reacting to these developments, the president of Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) Bashab Chandra Kalita told The Sentinel, “As per rules, government employees cannot take part in any rally called by political parties. However, there are no clear-cut guidelines as to their participation in social media platforms. Notwithstanding this, it is unfortunate that the State Elementary Education Department is trying to gag the voices of the teachers’ community of the State though it’s recent circular.”

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