Follow code of conduct during media interaction: Odisha govt

Odisha government has warned its employees of disciplinary action if they make any adverse remarks about its policies during media interaction in violation of service conduct rules, an official said.

The General Administration department, principal secretary, Sanjeev Chopra in a letter to all heads of department emphasised that government servants should observe restraint while making statements to the print and electronic media, taking part in public meetings and discussions in their official capacity the official said.

The letter, dated October 25, has been titled "code of conduct of government servants in connection with interaction with media."
The letter said that "It has come to the notice of government that despite specific regulatory provisions in the Odisha Government Servants' Conduct Rules, 1959 and restrictions thereunder, some government servants on occasions have been making statements in print, electronic and social media without adherence to the rule in place, which is a violation of the code of conduct for government servants."