Health department employees cautioned on social media use

Barely a few days after taking the reins of the health ministry, Devinder Kumar Manyal issued “guidelines” for the employees of the department on the use of social media. 

In a viral video, the health minister says, “I have seen many employees, out of excitement keep uploading my pictures with them.” 

   

“Some of the well-wishers told me that my photograph has been misused. People are posting ‘bad comments’ and give ‘wrong captions’, which is not in the interest of state,” the minister said.

“I too was an employee and I think the government employee should remain away from the politics and not trouble his job by commenting or posting something against me or my department,” the minister said.

“Employees get salary from the government and they should not fall in any controversy by uploading my picture, for which they might lose their job,” he said.

The minister said in the video said that he has issued some guidelines in this regard.

Meanwhile, director health services, Jammu (DHS-J) has issued circular guidelines cautioning the employees of the health department against posting pictures and videos with the health minister on various social media platforms.

They have also been asked to refrain from indulging in any indecent behavior on social media or use their personal accounts for any political activity.

“It is impressed upon all chief medical officers, block medical officers and other officials of the health department of Jammu division not to upload photographs and videos taken with the minister of health and medical education on facebook, whatsapp, instagram etc,” the circular issued by Dr Gurjeet Singh Soodan (DHS-J) reads.

“Deviation of circular instruction will invite action,” it reads.

In December 2017, Jammu and Kashmir government issued SRO 525 to regulate the use of social media by its employees, which includes, among others impresses upon the employees to refrain from making posts prejudicial to the government.

According to an order issued by the general administration department, “No government employee shall engage in any criminal, dishonest, immoral or notoriously disgraceful conduct on social media which may be prejudicial to the government.”

The first causality of the SRO was in March 2018 when a Jammu based doctor was sacked for “criticising” the government on the Facebook.

He, however, was reinstated after he tendered an apology to GMC principal Sunanda Raina.

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