NEW DELHI: The Modi government’s utilisation of social media has already been the subject of considerable attention but Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan seems no less enthusiastic about establishing his presence there. Last May, the MP government issued a notification asking all government employees to “follow” the CM’s social media accounts.“The number of people using social media is only going to increase in the coming days and we can use this to increase the outreach of the government. Hence, all government officials and senior rung employees be encouraged to follow honourable CM’s Twitter and Facebook accounts,” says the notification issued by the general communications wing of the MP government in May last year, addressed to all department secretaries, division heads and district collectors.ET has reviewed a copy of the notification that was sent to all 51 district government offices and departments across the State. Signed by bureaucrat, K Suresh who was the principal secretary, general administration, the letter further said, “The CM will be in direct communication with government officials through social media.Hence, from teachers, gram sahayaks, land officials, forest guards, police constables and others to senior rung officials can be in direct communication with him on social media, after stating their identity clearly and without violating laws of confidentiality.” MP government officials claimed the order was meant only to increase awareness about the presence of the government on social media.“It was just an advisory,” said a senior official when asked for a response. However, SC advocate Virag Gupta said such a circular violated conduct rules: “How can a chief minister of a state solicit social media followers from government officials? Also, asking people to follow you is akin to a favour.”