Section 17 in Andhra Pradesh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964
17. Criticism of the policy or action of Government or any other State Government or Central Government:
(1)No Government employee shall, by any public utterance, written or otherwise, criticise any policy or action of Government or any other State Government or the Central Government; nor shall he participate in any such criticism :Provided that nothing in this rule shall be deemed to prohibit any Government employee from participating in discussions, at any private meeting solely of Government employees or of any association of Government employees, of matters which affect the interest of such employees individually or generally.(2)No Government employee shall, in any writing published by him, or in any communication made by him to the press, or in any public utterance delivered by him, make any statement of fact or opinion which is likely to embarrass(i)the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any State and the People of India or any section thereof;(ii)the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any Foreign State.(3)A Government employee who intends to publish any document or to make any communication to the press or to deliver any public utterance containing statements in respect of which any doubt as to the application of the restrictions imposed by sub-rule (2) may arise, shall submit to Government the draft of such document, communication or utterance and shall thereafter, act in accordance with such orders as may be passed by Government.
