V.Ravikumar v. The Principal Secretary To Government Of India,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 18.12.2023 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR.SANJAY V.GANGAPURWALA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY V.Ravikumar ..
Petitioner Vs.
1. The Principal Secretary to Government of India The Secretariat The Government of India, New Delhi.
2. The Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Krishi Bhawan, Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 011.
3. The Secretary Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Krishi Bhawan, Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 011.
4. The Secretary Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers A-Wing, Shastri Bhawan, Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 011.
5. The Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport New Delhi 110 011.
6. The Secretary Ministry of Coal No.11, Akbar Road New Delhi 110 011.
7. The Secretary Ministry of Commerce and Industry Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi.
8. The Secretary Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi 110 003.
9. The Secretary Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi 110 011.
10.The Secretary Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Shastri Bhawan, C-Wing, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 011.
11.The Secretary Ministry of Culture Room No.501, C Wing Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 015.
12.The Secretary Ministry of Defense 5-A, South Block, New Delhi 110 011.
13.The Secretary Ministry of Earth Science Prithvi Bhawan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003. 14.The Secretary Ministry of Education 109-C, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 011.
15.The Secretary Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003.
16.The Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jorbagh Road New Delhi 110 003.
17.The Secretary Ministry of External Affairs Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, 23-D, Janpath New Delhi 110 011.
18.The Secretary Ministry of Finance Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, 23-D, Janpath New Delhi 110 011.
19.The Secretary Ministry of Food Processing Industries Panchsheel Bhawan, August Kranti Mark Khelgaon New Delhi 110 049.
20.The Secretary Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Room No.348, A Wing, Nirman Bhavan New Delhi 110 011.
21.The Secretary Ministry of Heavy Industries Block No.14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi 110 011.
22.The Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road Near Jantar Mantar, New Delhi 110 001.
23.The Secretary Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Nirman Bhawan, C-Wing, Rajpath Area Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110 011.
24.The Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Central Bureau of Communications Soochna Bhawan, Lodhi Road New Delhi 110 003.
25.The Secretary Ministry of Investment & Public Asset Management Room No.528, 5th Floor, Block No.14 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi 110 003.
26.The Secretary Ministry of Jal Shakthi (Ministry of Water Resources) e-Gov Cell, 6th Floor Cabin, Shram Shakti Bhawan Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
27.The Secretary Ministry of Labour & Employment Shram Shakti Bhawan Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
28.The Secretary Ministry of Law and Justice 3rd Floor, C Wing, Lok Nayak Bhawan Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003.
29.The Secretary Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises A Wing, 7th Floor, Nirman Bhawan Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110 108.
30.The Secretary Ministry of Mines Shastri Bhawan, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 001.
31.The Secretary Ministry of Rural Development NBO Building, G-Wings, Nirman Bhawan Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110 011.
32.The Secretary Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi 110 003.
33.The Secretary Ministry of Panchayati Raj 11th Floor, Jeevan Prakash Building 25, K.G. Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
34.The Secretary Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions 5th Floor, Sardar Patel Bhavan New Delhi 110 001.
35.The Secretary Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001.
36.The Secretary Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Parivahan Bhavan, 1, Parliament Street New Delhi.
37.The Secretary Ministry of Power Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi 110 003.
38.The Secretary Ministry of Railways 256-A, Raisina Road, Rajpath Area Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110 001.
39.The Secretary Ministry of Road Transport & Highways Transport Bhawan, 1 Paliament Street New Delhi 110 001.
40.The Secretary Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs 86B, Parliament House, New Delhi 110 001.
41.The Secretary Ministry of Science & Technology Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road New Delhi 110 01.
42.The Secretary Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Government of India Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
43.The Secretary Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Shastri Bhawan, C-Wing, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 011.
44.The Secretary Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation 604, Khurshid Lal Bhawan Janpath New Delhi 110 001.
45.The Secretary Ministry of Steel, Udyog Bhawan Dr.Maulana Azad Road New Delhi 110 011.
46.The Secretary Ministry of Textiles R.No.130, A-Wing, Udyog Bhawan Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 011.
47.The Secretary Ministry of Tourism Room No.119, Transport Bhawan 1, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
48.The Secretary Ministry of Tribal Affairs 400, B Wing, Shastri Bhawan New Delhi 110 115.
49.The Secretary Ministry of Women and Child Development Shastri Bhawan, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 001.
50.The Secretary Ministry for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Room No.560 A-Wing, Shastri Bhawan New Delhi 110 001.
..
Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to consider the representation dated 18.03.
2023 of the petitioner in respect of issuing directions to the executives in all the ministries of the Government of India to react to the email received from the public with necessary acknowledgement of receipt and reply within reasonable time, and appointing e-Post Master General for the Union and its States for enabling the Government to Government "G2G" (Government Department to Government Departments) and Government to Judiciary "G2J" (Government Department to Courts, Tribunals, Apex courts etc) and finally Government to Citizen "G2C" (Government Department to Citizens) with required email technologies for effectiveness, eco-friendly mistaken proven (Poke Yoke) delivery and receiving e-communication system for the entire country, within the time frame as may be fixed by this Hon'ble High Court. For the Petitioner : Mr.B.
Manimaran For the Respondents : Mr.AR.L.Sundaresan Additional Solicitor General Assisted by Mr.R.
ORDER
(Made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) We have heard Mr.B.Manimaran, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.AR.L.Sundaresan, learned Additional Solicitor General, assisted by Mr.R.Rajesh Vivekananthan, learned Deputy Solicitor General for the respondents.
2. We are not going to consider the prayer with regard to the directions for appointment of e-Post Master General for the Union and States. The same cannot be the subject matter of the writ jurisdiction. The other aspects which are sought for is for the Government to consider. The Court would not direct the Executive to function in a particular way or to adopt a particular methodology. Certainly, the Government has to adopt the technological advancements as per its requirement and convenience.
3. It is for the respondents to consider the feasibility and viability of the suggestions made by the petitioner.
4. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. There will be no order as to costs. Consequently, W.M.P.No.16630 of 2023 is closed. (S.V.G., CJ.) (D.B.C., J.) 18.12.2023 Index :
Yes/No :
Yes/No kpl To
1. The Principal Secretary to Government of India The Secretariat, The Government of India, New Delhi.
2. The Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Krishi Bhawan, Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 011.
3. The Secretary Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Krishi Bhawan, Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 011.
4. The Secretary Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers A-Wing, Shastri Bhawan, Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 011.
5. The Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport New Delhi 110 011.
6. The Secretary Ministry of Coal, No.11, Akbar Road, New Delhi 110 011.
7. The Secretary Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi.
8. The Secretary Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi 110 003.
9. The Secretary Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi 110 011.
10.The Secretary Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Shastri Bhawan, C-Wing, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 011.
11.The Secretary Ministry of Culture Room No.501, C Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 015. 12.The Secretary Ministry of Defense, 5-A, South Block, New Delhi 110 011. 13.The Secretary Ministry of Earth Science Prithvi Bhawan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003.
14.The Secretary Ministry of Education, 109-C, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 011. 15.The Secretary Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003.
16.The Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jorbagh Road, New Delhi 110 003. 17.The Secretary Ministry of External Affairs Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, 23-D, Janpath, New Delhi 110 011. 18.The Secretary Ministry of Finance Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, 23-D, Janpath, New Delhi 110 011. 19.The Secretary Ministry of Food Processing Industries Panchsheel Bhawan, August Kranti Mark Khelgaon New Delhi 110 049.
20.The Secretary Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Room No.348, A Wing, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi 110 011. 21.The Secretary Ministry of Heavy Industries Block No.14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 011. 22.The Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road Near Jantar Mantar, New Delhi 110 001.
23.The Secretary Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Nirman Bhawan, C-Wing, Rajpath Area Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110 011.
24.The Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Central Bureau of Communications Soochna Bhawan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003. 25.The Secretary Ministry of Investment & Public Asset Management Room No.528, 5th Floor, Block No.14 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003.
26.The Secretary Ministry of Jal Shakthi (Ministry of Water Resources) e-Gov Cell, 6th Floor Cabin, Shram Shakti Bhawan Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
27.The Secretary Ministry of Labour & Employment Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 001. 28.The Secretary Ministry of Law and Justice 3rd Floor, C Wing, Lok Nayak Bhawan Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003.
29.The Secretary Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises A Wing, 7th Floor, Nirman Bhawan Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110 108.
30.The Secretary Ministry of Mines Shastri Bhawan, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi 110 001.
31.The Secretary Ministry of Rural Development NBO Building, G-Wings, Nirman Bhawan Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110 011.
32.The Secretary Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi 110 003.
33.The Secretary Ministry of Panchayati Raj 11th Floor, Jeevan Prakash Building 25, K.G. Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
34.The Secretary Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions 5th Floor, Sardar Patel Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001. 35.The Secretary Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001.
36.The Secretary Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Parivahan Bhavan, 1, Parliament Street, New Delhi. 37.The Secretary Ministry of Power Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi 110 003.
38.The Secretary Ministry of Railways 256-A, Raisina Road, Rajpath Area Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110 001.
39.The Secretary Ministry of Road Transport & Highways Transport Bhawan, 1 Paliament Street, New Delhi 110 001. 40.The Secretary Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs 86B, Parliament House, New Delhi 110 001.
41.The Secretary Ministry of Science & Technology Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi 110 01. 42.The Secretary Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Government of India Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 001. 43.The Secretary Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Shastri Bhawan, C-Wing, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 011.
44.The Secretary Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation 604, Khurshid Lal Bhawan Janpath, New Delhi 110 001. 45.The Secretary Ministry of Steel, Udyog Bhawan Dr.Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi 110 011.
46.The Secretary Ministry of Textiles R.No.130, A-Wing, Udyog Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 011. 47.The Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Room No.119, Transport Bhawan 1, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
48.The Secretary Ministry of Tribal Affairs 400, B Wing, Shastri Bhawan New Delhi 110 115.
49.The Secretary Ministry of Women and Child Development Shastri Bhawan, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road New Delhi 110 001.
50.The Secretary Ministry for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Room No.560 A-Wing, Shastri Bhawan New Delhi 110 001.
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J (kpl) 18.12.2023