Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 20: Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has barred employees, officials, outsourced staff and students from criticising Government policies, administrative matters, institutional functioning and workplace-related issues on social media platforms.
A circular issued by the Principal GMC Anantnag directed all staff members and students to strictly regulate their use of social media and refrain from posting content that could affect the institution’s reputation and functioning.
The directives state that employees and students shall not criticise Government policies, institutional functioning, senior officers, patients, colleagues or workplace issues on platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Telegram and YouTube.
The administration said social media platforms were being used “in a manner which is inconsistent with institutional discipline, professional ethics and Government instructions.”
The move comes after two MBBS students were summoned by the college authorities for publicly raising the long-pending demand for an increase in stipends for MBBS and BDS interns.
In a video circulated online, one of the students highlighted the intense workload handled by interns and described the stipends they receive as “peanuts,” alleging that the rights of medical interns in Kashmir continue to be ignored.
The student also claimed that interns in several other states receive substantially higher stipends, while those in J&K remain neglected.
Referring to Government Order No. 1646-JK(GAD) of 2017 and Circular No. 09-JK(GAD) of 2023 issued by the General Administration Department, the college administration laid down a detailed set of guidelines for employees, outsourced staff and students.
According to the circular, no employee, official, outsourced staff member or student shall post, upload or circulate any confidential, official, patient-related or institution-related information, documents, images or videos on social media without proper authorisation.
The directives also prohibit posting or sharing any content considered vulgar, defamatory, threatening, communal, political, misleading or otherwise objectionable that could affect the reputation and functioning of GMC Anantnag and its associated hospitals.
It further states that grievances related to workplace issues, academics, patient care, administration or services should not be raised on social media and instead be routed through official channels.
The administration has also imposed restrictions on photography and videography inside college and hospital premises, including operation theatres, wards, emergency sections and academic areas, without prior permission from the competent authority.
The circular directs all concerned to maintain proper conduct on social media and refrain from behaviour “unbecoming of a public servant.”
Administrators and moderators of official or unofficial social media groups related to GMC Anantnag and its associated hospitals have also been asked to ensure that no inappropriate, misleading or unauthorised content is circulated through such groups.
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