Section 12 in The Chennai Corporation Servants Conduct Bye-Laws
12. Criticism of Government or Corporation.
(1)No Corporation servant shall, in any radio broadcast or in any document published anonymously on his own name or in the name of any other person or in any communication to the press or in any public utterance make any statement of fact or opinion-(i)which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of, the Corporation Council, the State Government or any State or Central Government;(ii)which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Corporation Council and the Government of any State or Central Government; and(iii)which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any foreign State:Provided that nothing in this by-law shall apply to any statement made or views expressed by a Corporation servant in his official capacity or in the due performance of the duties assigned to him.(2)A Corporation servant shall not, except on the discharge of his official duties, preside over or take part in the organisation or occupy a prominent position at or address, any non-official meeting or conference at which it is likely that speeches may be made or resolutions may be proposed or passed criticising the action of the Corporation Council or the Government or requesting the Corporation Council or the Government to take certain action other than to make grants admissible under the Government rules or orders in support of educational or similar institutions.Explanation. - Regularly convened meetings for the transaction of their legitimate business of Corporation Council, Municipal Councils and similar bodies established by law or created by the Government and of associations of Corporation servants recognised by the Government and of committees or branches of such bodies or associations and meetings called by the Sheriff of1 [Chennai] [Substituted for the word 'Madras' by the City of Madras (Alteration of Name) Act, 1996 (Tamil Nadu Act 28 of 1996).] are not "non-official" meetings for the purpose of this by-law.(3)Nothing contained in this by-law shall be deemed to prohibit any Corporation servant from participating in discussion at any private meeting solely of Corporation servants or of any recognised association of Corporation servants of matters which affect the personal interests of such services individually or generally :Provided that nothing contained in this clause shall be construed to limit or abridge the power of the Corporation Council to require any Corporation servant to publish and explain any policy or action of the Government in such manner as may appear to them to be expedient or necessary.(4)A Corporation servant 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 this by-law may arise, shall submit to the Corporation Council, a copy or draft of the document which he intends to publish or the utterance which he intends to deliver, and shall thereafter act in accordance with such orders as may be passed by the Corporation Council.(5)This by-law shall not apply to the Corporation Legal Adviser. But it shall apply to the officials who are not full time officers but are engaged by the Corporation to do specified work without prejudice to the regular exercise of their-profession in other respects.
