New Delhi: Giving a major leeway to bureaucrats, the Government has framed draft rules allowing them to participate freely on social media websites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn among others. However, at the same time they will not be allowed to criticise the Government in any way.

Though bureaucrats do use the above mentioned social media tools, till date there is no policy which governs this aspect formally. 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”.

The proposed rules allow civil servants to accept simple and inexpensive entertainment events arranged by public bodies or institutions. However, they will have to declare before the Government details of household equipment, automobiles or any other means of conveyance if their value exceed two months basic pay.

These rules are part of the proposed changes in All India Service (Conduct) Rules, 1968, which are applicable to three all India services--Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service and Indian Forest Service.

“Previous sanction of the Government shall not be required when the member of the service, in the bonafide discharge of his duties or otherwise, publishes a book or article or contributes to or participates in any public media including social media websites,” said the new rules.

In existing rules, there is no mention of social media. The DoPT has proposed to expand the ambit of the rules that check criticism of government. In their annual return to the government, the civil servants have to give details of jewellery, insurance policies the annual premia of which exceeds two months basic pay of the member of service, besides shares, securities and debentures.

As per existing norms, they also have to mention loans advanced by or to such member of the service, motor cars, motor cycles, horses and refrigerators, radiograms and television sets.