Freedom of Expression To Government Employees

New Delhi: It is mentioned that as per Rule 8 of Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, no Government servant shall, except with the previous sanction of the Government, own wholly or in part, or conduct or participate in the editing or management of, any newspaper or other periodical publication or electronic in a public media. Further, Rule 9 of Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules provides inter-alia that no Government servant shall make any statement of fact or opinion in any form of communication, (i) which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the Central Government or a State government or (ii) which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central government and the Government of any State or (iii) which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central government and the government of any foreign State; subject to exceptions for bonafide expression of views by office-bearers of a trade union or association of government servants for the purpose of safeguarding the conditions of service of such government servants or for securing an improvement thereof or for views expressed by a government servant in his official capacity or in the due performance of the duties assigned to him. A PIB release stated.

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