GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Finance/Department of Revenue
North Block, New Delhi-110001
E-mail : chairmancbdt@nic.in
Tele : 23092648 & Telefax : 23092544
FTS-300318193/2016 Date : 23rd December, 2016
Dear Principal Chief Commissioner/Principal Director General,
Sub: Discussion on Official Matters in Social Media-reg.
It has been noticed that some officers of the Department are frequently discussing official decisions, including minutes of in-camera meetings on social media platforms like Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook and others. Such discussion / circulation of official material without authorization of the Competent Authority is to be avoided.
The proviso to Rule 11 of the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules, 1964, specifically states that:
“Provided that no Government servant shall, except in accordance with any general or special order of the Government or in performance in good faith of the duties assigned to him, communicate, directly or indirectly, any official document or any part thereof or classified information to any Government servant or any other person to whom he is not authorized to communicate, such document or classified information.”
It is re-iterated that specific officers are authorized for posting information on these social media platforms on behalf of the Income Tax Department. Unauthorised / unofficial circulation of minutes of meetings, official discussions of any kind on social media must be avoided at all costs.
The above may please be brought to the notice of all officers in your respective charge.
With best wishes,
Your Sincerely
(Sushil Chandra)
All Principal Chief Commissioners of Income Tax
All Principal Directors General of Income Tax
