The Sikkim government has warned its employees of disciplinary action for commenting against its policies and actions on any forum, including social media, in an apparent bid to silence protest in the wake of the recent Supreme Court verdict extending income tax exemption to Indian origin old settlers of the state.

A circular issued by Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, secretary to the state government, on Friday said it had come to the notice of the government that employees were posting reactions on social media platforms in violation of SikkimGovernment Servants’ Service Conduct Rules, 1981.

Quoting the rules, it said: “Rule 9 (iii) (b) and Rule 10 of the Sikkim Government Servants’ Conduct Rules 1981 restricts a Government servant to participate in a radio broadcast or contribute an article or write a letter to a newspaper or periodical, or telecast through any electronic media, public media including social media websites either in his own name or anonymously or pseudonymously or in the name of any other person....”

Directing secretaries and department heads to alert all employees, it warned: “Any violation... shall be dealt with as per the provisions of the Sikkim Government Servants’(Discipline & Appeal) Rules,1985.”