Odisha puts restrictions on govt officials on media interaction

Bhubaneswar: The State government has put restrictions on senior government officials while issuing statements in public.

In a letter to Secretaries, Collectors and other senior government officials, Principal Secretary of General Administration department Sanjeev Chopra said on October 25 due restraint must be maintained while writing, releasing contents/statements to print and electronic media and participate in the public meetings/discussions on theme/issues.

“It is reiterated that the Odisha government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1959 at Rule 7 restricts the government servant from indulging in any kind of communication or publication to the effect that bears criticism to the government and compromises the relation between the State and central government or any foreign state for that matter, unless specifically authorized,” the letter further read.

It also stated that the government will review any deviation of the conduct rules by government servants from time to time. Also, disciplinary action will be taken against the government officials if they found to be guilty.