Chennai: The directorate of public health has warned staff of disciplinary action for criticising govt policies in public, in the media or through social media posts and memes. The order comes as nurses and other allied health staff have been staging strikes demanding permanent jobs and pay hikes, drawing protests from employee associations.The circular, dated Oct 19 and signed by Director A Somasundaram on Thursday, cites Rule 12 of the Tamil Nadu Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1973. It bars employees from criticising the policies, schemes, or actions of the centre or state in newspapers, on radio, television or social media, through memes or at public meetings. It warns staff against attending non-official meetings where resolutions or speeches criticise the govt, and against making comments that could strain the state’s relations with other govts. Violations would attract disciplinary action under the conduct rules, it said.The circular follows an oral instruction from the director on Oct 15, it said. A copy of the circular was posted on a WhatsApp group and sent to subordinate offices and office heads. “It was a routine administrative instruction given to all staff. Such messages help newly recruited staff familiarise themselves with service rules. “This is given to teach them the rules, just like we send circulars asking to punch in attendance,” he said.Doctors’ associations have called the circular a “gag” that prevents employees from pointing out problems and challenges in govt policies. The Tamil Nadu Nurses Empowerment Association condemned the order, saying it infringed on freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution. DPH has no right to take away the right to free speech guaranteed by the Constitution, a statement from the association general secretary N Subin, adding that the association would continue to speak out, post on social media and hold peaceful protests over unfilled vacancies, contract recruitment to permanent posts and the failure to regularise nurses on consolidated pay. It also flagged what it described as the govt’s failure to implement a High Court order on equal pay for equal work for nurses.Health minister K G Arunraj said the circular could have been avoided. “DPH has the powers to send such letters. But under the new govt, we ensure we investigate people’s needs and act before there is any reasons for protest,” he said.
