It is reported that the MP Government has adopted an E Mail Policy for use by its officials which has raised some legal concerns under ITA 2008.
The main objective of E-mail Policy is said to be to give legal status to e-mail correspondence and dissemination of data. All departments, offices, affiliated institutions and autonomous bodies which draw funds from Madhya Pradesh’s consolidated fund, will be provided all e-mail related facilities free of cost.
Under the policy, guidelines will be issued for giving legal status to e-mail facilities and their use. It will be compulsory for employees of various state government departments, their affiliated organisations, corporations, boards etc., who use this facility, to follow the E-mail Policy.
One of the concerns that some persons have raised is that the policy does not mention any thing about “Digital Signature” as a means of authentication. Hopefully this will be added in the detailed guidelines.
It is also not clear if the mail service would be maintained by NIC. It is however expected to be so.
There is also a need to ensure appropriate security measures at the host level so that key Intra Government communication does not leak out or become available for manipulation.
The move however appears to be heading in the right direction towards increased use of E Governance and if it is made Cyber Law Compliant, it is a welcome move.
Naavi
