Rajouri /Baramulla/The Rajouri times
A major controversy has unfolded in Baramulla district after the Chief Education Officer (CEO) issued an order barring government employees from using social media, triggering widespread criticism and political reactions. The move has ultimately led to the officer’s attachment, with his charge now handed over to the CEO Bandipora.
The directive issued by the CEO Baramulla reminded government employees, particularly those in the Education Department, not to use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or WhatsApp in their official or personal capacity. The order warned that action could be taken against violators, citing service conduct rules.
However, the circular quickly attracted backlash, with employees and political leaders questioning its legality and intent. Critics argued that the directive was unnecessary and infringed upon the personal rights of employees.
Senior political leader and former minister Sakina Itoo was among the first to condemn the directive. She said the officer was attempting to “reimpose” an order that had been first issued in 2014 under controversial circumstances. “The 2014 order is being imposed on employees once again, which is unfair and uncalled for,” she remarked, adding that such restrictions only create fear and suspicion among government staff.
The controversy escalated further after the concerned Minister clarified that the government had no role in the order. Calling it the CEO’s “personal decision,” the Minister said, “I will not allow anyone to defame the government. Such unilateral actions are not acceptable, and the government distances itself completely from this order.”
Following the uproar, the government acted swiftly and attached the CEO Baramulla with immediate effect. His charge has been given to the CEO Bandipora, who will now hold additional responsibility until further notice. Officials have indicated that a detailed inquiry may follow to determine why the officer issued the controversial order without proper authorization.
The incident has reignited debate over the use of social media by government employees in Jammu and Kashmir. While the Civil Services Conduct Rules do prescribe restrictions on posting political content or criticizing government policy, employees have often argued that complete bans are impractical and violate their right to free expression.
Observers point out that with social media now being a major platform for communication, any directive curbing its use requires clear guidelines and approval from higher authorities, rather than unilateral decisions at the district level.
The episode has once again highlighted the tension between enforcing discipline among government employees and safeguarding their personal freedoms. With the CEO Baramulla attached and the controversy still fresh, calls are growing for the government to issue a comprehensive clarification on the matter to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Author: therajouritimes
Lakkar Mandi Janipur Jammu
