Nagaland government proposes inquiry against employee for his activities on YouTube channel

A government employee, who goes by the pseudo name Max Naga on ‘Common Public Platform’ YouTube channel, has landed in trouble with the Directorate of School Education (DoSE) proposing an enquiry against him under Rule 9 (2) of the Nagaland Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1967.

In a memorandum issued on March 16, the Principal Director of DoSE, Thavaseelan K, stated that charges have been framed against its employee Pukhai (YouTuber Max Naga) for violating Rule 4 (1), Rule 22, Rule 23 and Rule 24 of the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968, while he was functioning as a peon at Government High School, Aghunaqa in Niuland.

Confirming this to Eastern Mirror on Friday evening, Thavaseelan said the enquiry process is still ongoing and that the department has served a notice directing the person to submit a written statement of his defence within 10 days of the receipt of its memorandum and also to state whether he desires to be heard in person.

The DoSE has charged Pukhai for engaging a proxy against his post and not performing his bona fide duties at the school, thereby failing to maintain integrity and devotion to duty, as well as indulging in acts that render him unbecoming of a government Servant.

While functioning as a peon at Government High School, Aghunaqa, the department said the concerned employee had ‘made statements of opinion on social media/YouTube Channel which has the effect of an adverse criticism of the policy/action of the government’; and wholly or in part own the YouTube channel ‘Common Public Platform’ and participated in the editing, managing and broadcast of the channel without the previous sanction of the government.

It went on to charge the government employee for associating with political party(parties)/organisation(s) which take(s) part in politics, taking part in political activities and using his influence in connection with an election to legislature while remaining as a active government employee.

Through the memorandum, the department also informed the concerned person that an inquiry will be conducted “only in respect of those articles of charge as are not admitted” and so he should specifically admit or deny each article of charge.

If he does not submit his written statement of defence within 10 days deadline or “does not appear in person before the inquiring authority or otherwise fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of Rule 9 (2) of the Nagaland Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1967 or the orders/directions issued in pursuance of the said rule,” the department said the inquiring authority may hold the inquiry against him ex parte.

It went on to say that the concerned person has invited attention to Rule 20 of the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968, under which government servants are prohibited from bringing or attempting “to bring any political or outside influence to bear upon any superior authority to further his interest in respect of matters pertaining to his service under the government”.

“If any representation is received on his behalf from another person in respect of any matter dealt with in these proceedings, it will be presumed that Shri Pukhai is aware of such a representation and that it has been made at his instance and action will be taken against him for violation of Rule 20 of the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968,” read the memorandum.