Government employees will now use only official e-mails IDs, court told

The objective of this policy is to ensure proper access and usage of government of India's IT resources by all its users and protect the Information and Communications Technology infrastructure of the Government from any misuse.'

It is further submitted that similar practice is being followed in several countries like Singapore, Britain, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Ecuador, Sweden, and the UAE.

'In the United States of America, the White House does not allow its officials to access e-mails of private e-mail service providers at work.'

The 'E-mail Policy of Government of India' and 'Policy on Acceptable use of IT Resources of Government of India' also required a wider consultation among different stake holders both in the central and state governments, said the affidavit.

It said that the government has undertaken a wider consultation process among the stake holders in the country and the 'consultation process included policy issues, ways and means of implementation of policies, enhancement of infrastructure and other related issues.'

Since both the policies have to be implemented across the country, approval of such policies have to be at the level whose decisions are binding on such matters across the country, stated the affidavit.