Puducherry Gov. Bedi 'voids' CM's circular banning social media for official communication

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi on Thursday declared a circular issued by Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy banning the use of social media applications such as Facebook and WhatsApp for official communication as 'null and void', stating that such an order falls in contravention of guidelines and rules and policies.

Bedi announced the decision through Twitter.

"If Puducherry has to be a progressive UT, it cannot be retrograde in communications. Hence @CM_Puducherry's order stands cancelled:@PMOIndia (sic)," she said.

The December 2 notification had directed all the government employees to desist from using social media for official works, stating that the server of these multinational companies is based outside of the country.

The circular noted that any foreign country can get these official communication and upload the documents therein.

"This is violation of Official Secrets Act and also against the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Information Technology. Strict compliance should be ensured by all concerned and violation, if any, of these instructions brought to notice shall invite disciplinary action and further penal action as per rules in force. Wherever it is essential and unavoidable, written permission should be taken from Chief Secretary for doing Government work through social media," it stated.