Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Oct 5: The Chief Education Officer (CEO), Baramulla has directed the staff not to indulge in debates, discussions, or sharing of “inappropriate content” on social media, warning of strict action in case of non-compliance.
The directives have come after a review meeting chaired by the Secretary, School Education Department (SED), who instructed all Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to bring such instances to the notice of the administration for necessary action.
“The worthy Secretary of School Education, J&K during review meeting held on 03-10-2025 among other issues have intimated that various instances of misuse of Social Media platforms by teaching and non-teaching staff of the department thereby suggesting/ interfering in the policy matters of the department have been brought in his notice,” the circular noted.
The CEO said such activities were a clear violation of Government instructions issued vide Circular No. 09-JK(GAD) of 2023 dated 24-03-2023 governing the subject matter.
It stated that an elaborate set of guidelines regarding the use of social media by Government employees has already been notified for strict adherence and compliance vide Government Order No. 1646-JK(GAD) of 2017 dated 26-12-2017.
“The chair during the meeting directed all the Chief Education Officers to bring into the notice of the Administration any such violation without fail in order to fix the responsibility and act under Government instructions,” it added.
The CEO stated that the Government order governing such situations envisaged the punishments for violators including censure, fine not exceeding one month’s pay, withholding of increments and/or promotion, reduction to a lower post and/or a lower time scale or a lower stage in time scale, recovery from pay of the whole or part of any pecuniary loss caused to the Government by negligence or breach of orders.
It stated that such action could also lead to premature retirement on proportionate pension, removal from the service of the state which does not qualify for future employment, and dismissal from the service of the state which ordinarily disqualifies from future employment.
“It is clarified that the guidelines are not intended to dissuade employees/departments from using social media for positive and constructive purposes,” the CEO stated.
Accordingly, all employees of the School Education Department in District Baramulla have been directed to strictly adhere to the guidelines and legal principles, and “refrain from indulging in unwarranted debates, discussions, or sharing/commenting/posting inappropriate content on social media platforms to avoid unfavourable circumstances.”
However, the move has invited criticism from various quarters, with many demanding that the order be revoked without delay.
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