Ministry Issues Code of Conduct for Employees

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation has issued the 'Code of Conduct to be Followed by Employees, 2083'. The ministry stated that the code of conduct has been implemented to bring effectiveness in work performance and service delivery by making employee conduct and behavior impartial, virtuous, disciplined, and dignified. The code of conduct, approved by a decision at the level of Minister Pratibha Rawal on Ashadh 16 and sent to all divisions and bodies for implementation from Ashadh 22, has strictly regulated the use of social media by employees. The code of conduct states that employees cannot post photos or videos taken in office attire while on duty in the office premises or in the field on social media. However, this rule will not apply in the case of educational or informative materials, as written in the code of conduct. Conditions have also been set in the code of conduct that professional vigilance must be exercised when using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and TikTok, so as not to compromise the dignity and integrity of the service. The ministry has also prohibited publishing writings or commenting on social media in a manner that is contrary to the government's policies and programs. Employees have been instructed to behave politely, with dignity, and equally with service recipients. The ministry has also stated that work must be performed without any favoritism, partiality, or prejudice, and discrimination based on religion, color, gender, or caste is not allowed when serving recipients. Meeting with service recipients outside the workplace is prohibited. Employees cannot act as representatives or agents of any service recipient and cannot use their position for personal or family gain. Employees must fully adhere to office hours, and the arrangement is that wearing the prescribed uniform and identity card is mandatory. Indecent activities such as consuming alcohol, gambling, or smoking are not allowed in the office or in public places. The responsibility of protecting government symbols, seals, emails, passwords, and government documents will lie with the employees. The code of conduct states that government property, information systems, and equipment cannot be misused or used for personal gain. The ministry has warned that the secretary of the ministry or an official designated by them will regularly monitor whether the code of conduct is being followed, and action will be taken according to the prevailing laws for actions contrary to the code of conduct.