Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant move, Kerala Government will revise its decade-old Code of Conduct to be followed by state-government employees. The move aims to restrict employees from using social media and other online platforms to criticize the government. 

Meanwhile, the government plans a major overhaul of the Kerala Government Servants Conduct Rules passed in 1960, which clearly implies rules to be followed by public servants.

Currently, the recommendations suggested by the Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department are before the consideration of the Chief Minister. 

A few years back, the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission, headed by former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, recommended revising the code of conduct and removing unnecessary rules. The commission also stressed the importance of incorporating cyber laws into the existing rules. With the latest amendments, the government aims to restrict employees' actions on social media and online platforms. 

Recently, government departments and political parties have raised concern over employees violating the code of conduct on social media platforms. However, existing rules do not allow the government to restrict its employees, even if they are levelling criticism against the government. 

However, since 2013, the departments have taken action against employees who criticise the government. However, it is only now that the government has finally decided to bring changes to their decade-old rules.