Bengaluru: Disciplinary action will be initiated against government officials raising their grievances or sharing opinions in the media, the Karnataka government has warned in a circular.
Taking cognisance of 'unwarranted statements' made by officials in the recent past, the government cited service rules which restrict their interaction with the media and said disciplinary action will be taken against public servants found voicing personal opinions in the open and indulging in any act that may cause embarrassment to the government. "The government views such conduct of the officials seriously," the official circular stated. The circular, however, mentioned that officials can use the media to share official information on government programmes and for necessary official communication.
The government circular comes after the media reported a tussle between MLA Sa Ra Mahesh and IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri. Mahesh accused Sindhuri of involving in a Rs 6 crore scam in the purchase of cotton bags during her service as the Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru. Sindhuri accused the legislator of encroaching a ‘rajakaluve’ (stormwater drain) and Gomala land (government land for cattle grazing) in Mysuru to construct a wedding hall. After probing into the allegations, the revenue officials and the regional commissioner gave Mahesh a clean chit. Sindhuri also cried foul saying Mahesh had levelled baseless allegations against her, as per reports.
Sindhuri is the commissioner of the endowment department.
