In a significant departure from long established rule in the world of bureaucratic practice, the Government is mulling the prospect of allowing the bureaucrats to participate freely on social media websites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, something that is gaining much popularity in contemporary times. However, this notwithstanding, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued draft rules which bar officers from making “criticism of Government” on television, social media or any other communication application by any means including a “caricature”. In other words, the freedom of speech as enshrined in the Constitution has been allowed to the bureaucrats but within certain limits.
Actually, the rules and regulations that cover the functioning of bureaucracy of a given state were laid down by the British rulers of India. After independence some attempts, though only feeble, have been made by various Governments to bring about drastic change in the overall attitude of the bureaucracy. For example, during the British Raj, secrecy was the hallmark of the bureaucracy working under close observation of colonizers. Many changes have been brought in the concept of secrecy as it was observed previously. Today our bureaucracy is answerable to a large extent.
However we appreciate that DoPT has strictly forbidden bureaucrats from criticizing the Government or leaking state secrets on social media. They are required to adhere to the norms of secrecy.
The bureaucrats are the ultimate state functionaries who run the administration. It depends on the ability and intelligence of a bureaucrat to provide valuable and useful input to the final decision making authority meaning the minister. In the interests of public good and larger interests of society, it is not advisable that the bureaucrats divulge some classified information. After all every Government has classified information with it but that cannot be divulged publicly. The state has to maintain dignity and status of its functioning structure.
However, the positive side of allowing bureaucrats participate in social media is that their opinions, suggestions, guidance and advice can be highly beneficial to the society while it is in the process of development. Without criticizing the Government or pulling its leg, they can give their candid views on crucial projects and schemes. Such views and suggestions are of broad public interest.
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