NEA social media directive warns staff
8th February 2026, Kathmandu
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has issued a firm directive to its workforce, mandating a strict code of conduct for social media usage. This move, announced in early February 2026, aims to protect the institutional reputation of the state-owned utility and curb the spread of unverified information.
NEA social media directive
By invoking the Employee Service Conditions Regulation 2075, the NEA has clarified that digital behavior is a professional obligation subject to departmental discipline.
Core Provisions of the Directive
The directive targets specific behaviors that have reportedly increased among the NEA’s workforce of over 11,000 employees. The authority has identified several digital red lines that staff must not cross.
Prohibited Online Activities
Disseminating Unverified Information: Posting or sharing content regarding NEA operations, power supply, or internal policies that lacks factual verification.
Damaging Institutional Image: Engaging in public criticism or posting content that negatively impacts the dignity and public trust of the NEA.
Breach of Confidentiality: Unauthorized sharing of internal office letters, memos, or confidential technical documents on platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok.
Public Misinformation: Creating content that leads to misunderstandings about electricity tariffs, load-shedding schedules, or infrastructure projects.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
The directive is a formal enforcement of existing bylaws. The primary legal anchor is the Nepal Electricity Authority Employee Service, Terms, and Conditions Regulations 2075.
Discipline and Departmental Action
Under the current regulation, employees found violating these rules face a structured disciplinary process:
Monitoring and Record Collection: The NEA administration is actively tracking digital footprints of non-compliant posts.
Clarification Requests: Employees identified for inappropriate content will be served formal notices to explain their actions.
Departmental Action: Depending on the severity—such as leaking sensitive national grid data—actions can range from formal warnings and withholding of promotions to termination of service.
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Context: Why Now?
The timing of this directive in 2082/83 is significant due to several factors:
National Social Media Regulation: The Government of Nepal recently moved forward with the Social Media (Operation, Usage and Regulation) Bill 2082, which emphasizes accountability for all digital platform users.
Energy Sector Sensitivity: As the NEA manages critical national infrastructure, misinformation regarding these assets can lead to local unrest or security risks.
Digital Accountability: There has been a rising trend of employees using social media to bypass official communication channels to voice grievances or reveal internal office politics.
Professional Ethics and Digital Decorum
Narayan Prasad Acharya, Assistant Director at the NEA, has emphasized that while the authority respects personal freedom, professional ethics must extend to the digital screen. The NEA encourages a structured and constructive approach to social media:
Official Channels: Employees are urged to use official handles like Hello NEA or the 1150 hotline for addressing public grievances.
Institutional Pride: Staff are encouraged to share verified achievements, such as rural electrification milestones and smart meter installations, rather than speculative rumors.
Summary of Impact
Primary Regulation: NEA Employee Service Conditions Regulation 2075
Target Audience: All permanent and contract employees of NEA
Main Objective: To prevent reputational damage and protect confidential data
Possible Penalty: Departmental action as per the 2075 Bylaws
Conclusion
The NEA social media directive represents a proactive step toward modernizing corporate governance within Nepal’s public utility sector. By enforcing the Employee Service Conditions Regulation 2075, the NEA seeks to ensure that its workforce remains a source of reliable information. In an era where digital content moves faster than electricity, the NEA’s message is clear: professional decorum is mandatory on all platforms.
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