Right to Information

A FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSPARENCY AUDIT

The RTI Act under section 4 provides a comprehensive framework for promoting openness in the functioning of the public authorities.

While Section 4(1) (a) provides a general guideline for record management, so that the information could be easily stored and retained, the sub-sections b, c and d of Section 4 relate to the organizational objects and functions. Sub-sections (b), (c) and (d) of Section 4 of the RTI Act and other related information can be grouped under six categories; namely, 1-organsiation and function, 2- Budget and programmes, 3- Publicity and public interface, 4- E. governance, 5- Information as prescribed and 6. Information disclosed on own initiative.

1. Organisation and Function

S. No.

Item

Details of disclosure

Remarks/ Reference Points (Fully met/partially met/ not met- Not applicable will be treated as fully met/partially met)

1.1

Particulars of its organisation, functions and duties

[Section 4(1)(b)(i)]

Name and address of the Organization

Consulate General of India

Level 6, 12 St. Georges Terrace, Perth,

Western Australia - 6000 

Head of the organization

The Consulate General of India is headed by the Consul General and has following sections/Wings:

(i) Chancery Wing (ii) Consular Wing (iii) Commercial Section (iv) Culture & Information Wing

A Consul ranking officer supervises the functioning of each Wing.

The functions of the Consulate, inter alia, include visa, passport and consular services, community affairs, trade and investment promotion, cultural interaction, within the two provincial governments under the jurisdiction of the Consulate, viz., Western Australia and Northern Territory. 

Vision, Mission and Key objectives

Function and duties

Organization Chart

Any other details-the genesis, inception, formation of the department and the HoDs from time to time as well as the committees/ Commissions constituted from time to time have been dealt 

1.2

Power and duties of its officers and employees

[Section 4(1) (b)(ii)]

Powers and duties of officers (administrative, financial and judicial)

The Consulate functions within the overall purview of the business allocated to the Ministry of External Affairs under the Government of India’s Allocation of Business Rules and Transaction of Business Rules. 

General Administrative powers are derived from the Indian Foreign Service (Pay Leave and Compensatory Allowances etc) Rules, 1961, as amended from time to time.

Financial powers are exercised in accordance with the guidelines stipulated in the Delegated Financial Powers of the Government of India’s Representatives Abroad.

The Powers relating to Consular services are exercised in accordance with the Passport Act of India, Visa Manual, and other instructions issued by Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Officers of the Consulate function under the guidance and supervision of the Consul General.

Power and duties of other employees

Rules/ orders under which powers and duty are derived and

Exercised

Work allocation

1.3

Procedure followed in decision making process

[Section 4(1)(b)(iii)]

Process of decision making Identify key decision making points

Decisions are guided by relevant rules and are arrived at under the instructions and overall supervision of the Consul General.

Final decision making authority

Related provisions, acts, rules etc.

Time limit for taking a decisions, if any

Channel of supervision and accountability

1.4

Norms for discharge of functions

[Section 4(1)(b)(iv)]

Nature of functions/ services offered

The functions are discharged in accordance with the norms as formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Norms/ standards for functions/ service delivery

Process by which these services can be accessed

Time-limit for achieving the targets 

Process of redress of grievances

1.5

Rules, regulations, instructions manual and records for discharging functions

[Section 4(1)(b)(v)]

Title and nature of the record/ manual /instruction.

Indian Foreign Service (Pay Leave and Compensatory Allowances etc) Rules, 1961 and its annexure notifying decisions taken by the Government under the Rules

Delegated Financial Powers of Government of India’s Representatives abroad

The Passport Act

Visa Manual

Manuals on Office Procedures.

Other Rules and manuals published by the Central Government.

List of Rules, regulations, instructions manuals and records.

Acts/ Rules manuals etc.

Transfer policy and transfer orders

1.6

Categories of documents held by the authority under its control

[Section 4(1)(b) (vi)]

Categories of documents

Classified documents/files relating to India’s external relations and other sensitive issues.

Unclassified documents/files including, agreements and Memoranda of Understanding; Passport, visa and consular services applications.

(ii) Custodian of documents/categories

1.7

Boards, Councils, Committees and other Bodies constituted as part of the Public Authority

[Section 4(1)(b)(viii)]

Name of Boards, Council, Committee etc.

Consulate General of India functions within the norms of India’s foreign policy formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs.  Policy is implemented by the Consulate under the guidance and supervision of the Consul General.   The Consulate has an informal consultation mechanism with the Indian community on consular, cultural, social and other issues for promoting the welfare of the community.

Composition

Dates from which constituted

Term/ Tenure

Powers and functions

Whether their meetings are open to the public?

Whether the minutes of the meetings are open to the public?

Place where the minutes if open to the public are available?

1.8

Directory of officers and employees

[Section 4(1) (b) (ix)]

Name and designation

A directory is given at Annexure-I.

Telephone , fax and email ID

1.9

Monthly Remuneration received by officers & employees including system of compensation

[Section 4(1) (b) (x)]

List of employees with Gross monthly remuneration

A statement of monthly remuneration is at Annexure-II.

System of compensation as provided in its regulations

1.10

Name, designation and other particulars of public information officers

[Section 4(1) (b) (xvi)]

Name and designation of the public information officer (PIO), Assistant Public Information (s) & Appellate Authority

Public Information officer:-

Vacant

Consul  & HOC
Tel :00-61-93258597
Email : hoc[dot]perth[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in

Appellate Authority:-

Mr. Amarjeet Singh Takhi,
Consul General
Tel :00-61-93254074
Email : cg[dot]perth[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in

Address, telephone numbers and email ID of each designated official.

1.11

No. Of employees against whom Disciplinary action has been proposed/ taken

(Section 4(2))

No. of employees against whom disciplinary action has been

Pending for Minor penalty or major penalty proceedings

NIL

Finalised for Minor penalty or major penalty proceedings

1.12

Programmes to advance understanding of RTI

(Section 26)

Educational programmes

Time to time the Consulate organizes briefing sessions for the local the Indian Community on miscellaneous Government policies & decisions including RTI

Efforts to encourage public authority to participate in these programmes

Training of CPIO/APIO

Update & publish guidelines on RTI by the Public Authorities concerned

1.13

Transfer policy and transfer orders

[F No. 1/6/2011- IR dt. 15.4.2013]

 

As formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs from time to time.

2. Budget and Programme

S. No.

Item

Details of disclosure

Remarks/ Reference Points (Fully met/partially met/ not met- Not applicable will be treated as fully met/partially met)

2.1

Budget allocated to each agency including all plans, proposed expenditure and reports on disbursements made etc.

[Section 4(1)(b)(xi)]

Total Budget for the public authority

The Budget figures for the current financial year are given in the statement at Annexure-III

Budget for each agency and plan & programmes

 

Proposed expenditures

Revised budget for each agency, if any

Report on disbursements made and place where the related reports are available

2.2

Foreign and domestic tours

(F. No. 1/8/2012- IR dt. 11.9.2012)

Budget

Tender notices relating to day-to-day functioning of the Consulate i.e. procurements, repair & maintenance job, filling up of job vacancies etc are published on the Consulate’s website from time to time

Foreign and domestic Tours by ministries and officials of the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government and above, as well as the heads of the Department.

Places visited

The period of visit

The number of members in the official delegation

Expenditure on the visit

 

 

 

Information related to procurements

Notice/tender enquires, and corrigenda if any thereon,

Details of the bids awarded comprising the names of the suppliers of goods/ services being procured,

The works contracts concluded – in any such combination of the above-and

The rate /rates and the total amount at which such procurement or works contract is to be executed.

2.3

Manner of execution of subsidy programme

[Section 4(i)(b)(xii)]

Name of the programme of activity

The Consulate General of India does not have any subsidy programme.

 

Objective of the programme

 

Procedure to avail benefits

Duration of the programme/ scheme

Physical and financial targets of the programme

Nature/ scale of subsidy /amount allotted

Eligibility criteria for grant of subsidy

Details of beneficiaries of subsidy programme (number, profile etc)

2.4

Discretionary and non-discretionary grants [F. No. 1/6/2011-IR dt. 15.04.2013]

Discretionary and non-discretionary grants/ allocations to State Govt./ NGOs/other institutions

The Consulate does not have any provision in this regard.

Annual accounts of all legal entities who are provided grants by public authorities

 

2.5

Particulars of recipients of concessions, permits of authorizations granted by the public authority

[Section 4(1) (b) (xiii)]

Concessions, permits or authorizations granted by public authority

No concessions/permits are granted by the Consulate

 

 

For each concessions, permit or authorization granted

Eligibility criteria

Procedure for getting the concession/ grant and/ or

permits of authorizations

Name and address of the recipients given concessions/

permits or authorisations

Date of award of concessions /permits of authorizations

 

2.6

`CAG & PAC paras [F No. 1/6/2011- IR dt. 15.4.2013]

CAG and PAC paras and the action taken reports (ATRs) after these have been laid on the table of both houses of the parliament.

NIL

3. Publicity Band Public interface

S. No.

Item

Details of disclosure

Remarks/ Reference Points (Fully met/partially met/ not met- Not applicable will be treated as fully met/partially met)

3.1

Particulars for any arrangement for consultation with or representation by the members of the public in relation to the formulation of policy or implementation there of

[Section 4(1)(b)(vii)]

[F No 1/6/2011-IR dt. 15.04.2013]

Arrangement for consultations with or representation by the members of the public

Relevant Acts, Rules, Forms and other documents which are normally accessed by citizens

The Consulate works in close coordination with business associations, think tanks, academicians and also the Indian Association.

Arrangements for consultation with or representation by

Members of the public in policy formulation/ policy implementation

Day & time allotted for visitors

Contact details of Information & Facilitation Counter (IFC) to provide publications frequently sought by RTI applicants

Public- private partnerships (PPP)

Details of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), if any

Detailed project reports (DPRs)

Concession agreements.

Operation and maintenance manuals

Other documents generated as part of the implementation of the PPP

Information relating to fees, tolls, or the other kinds of revenues that may be collected under authorisation from the government

Information relating to outputs and outcomes

The process of the selection of the private sector party (concessionaire etc.)

All payment made under the PPP project

3.2

Are the details of policies / decisions, which affect public, informed to them

[Section 4(1) (c)]

Publish all relevant facts while formulating important policies or announcing decisions which affect public to make the process more interactive;

Policy decisions/ legislations taken in the previous one year

Yes.

The details are properly advertised through the Consulate’s website. The Consulate also organizes briefing sessions on important matters from time to time.

Outline the Public consultation process

Outline the arrangement for consultation before formulation of policy

3.3

Dissemination of information widely and in such form and manner which is easily accessible to the public

[Section 4(3)]

Use of the most effective means of communication

Internet (website)

Through the Consulate’s website which is updated on regular basis.

Consulate also makes available to interested individuals/organizations various books, journals, handouts, CD’s and DVD’s containing information on India, its people, culture, and economic policies.

3.4

Form of accessibility of information manual/ handbook

[Section 4(1)(b)]

Information manual/handbook available in

Electronic format

Printed format

3.5

Whether information manual/ handbook available free of cost or not

[Section 4(1)(b)]

List of materials available

Free of cost

At a reasonable cost of the medium

4. E. Governance

S .No.

Item

Details of disclosure

Remarks/ Reference Points (Fully met/partially met/ not met- Not applicable will be treated as fully met/partially met)

4.1

Language in which Information Manual/Handbook Available

[F No. 1/6/2011-IR dt. 15.4.2013]

English

 

Vernacular/ Local Language

 

4.2

When was the information Manual/Handbook last updated?

[F No. 1/6/2011-IR dt 15.4.2013]

Last date of Annual updation

 

4.3

Information available in electronic form

[Section 4(1)(b)(xiv)]

Details of information available in electronic form

The Consulate website contains all relevant information relating to the normal functioning of the Consulate, activities on the commercial & cultural fronts, consular services and other facilities as available to the public and specific bilateral issues.

Name/ title of the document/record/ other information

Location where available

4.4

Particulars of facilities available to citizen for obtaining information

[Section 4(1)(b)(xv)]

Name & location of the faculty

The Consulate is open to the public during its normal working hours for queries on Consular matters. The queries received from public through post/e-mail are replied to by the same means. The Consulate also makes its meeting hall available for miscellaneous business & cultural activities by the Indian associations.

 

Details of information made available

Working hours of the facility

Contact person & contact details (Phone, fax email)

4.5

Such other information as may be prescribed under section 4(i) (b)(xvii)

Grievance redressal mechanism

As of date, the Consulate does not have any pending RTI application nor any appeal against the information furnished by the Consulate.

Details of applications received under RTI and information provided

List of completed schemes/ projects/ Programmes

List of schemes/ projects/ programme underway

Details of all contracts entered into including name of the contractor, amount of contract and period of completion of contract

Annual Report

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Any other information such as

Citizen’s Charter

Result Framework Document (RFD)

Six monthly reports on the

Performance against the benchmarks set in the Citizen’s

Charter

4.6

Receipt & Disposal of RTI applications & appeals [F.No 1/6/2011-IR dt. 15.04.2013]

Details of applications received and disposed

Details stand furnished in the quarterly reports submitted by this Consulate.

Details of appeals received and orders issued

4.7

Replies to questions asked in the parliament

[Section 4(1)(d)(2)]

Details of questions asked and replies given

NIL

5. Information as may be prescribed

S. No.

Item

Details of disclosure

Remarks/ Reference Points (Fully met/partially met/ not met- Not applicable will be treated as fully met/partially met)

5.1

Such other information as may be prescribed [F.No. 1/2/2016-IR dt. 17.8.2016, F No. 1/6/2011-IR dt. 15.4.2013]

Name & details of

Current CPIOs & FAAs

Earlier CPIO & FAAs from 1.1.2015

The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers:

Public Information officer:-

Vacant

Consul & HOC
Tel :00-61-93258597
Email : hoc[dot]perth[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in

Appellate Authority:-

Mr. Amarjeet Singh Takhi,
Consul General
Tel :00-61-93254074
Email : cg[dot]perth[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in

Details of third party audit of voluntary disclosure

Dates of audit carried out

Report of the audit carried out

Appointment of Nodal Officers not below the rank of Joint Secretary/ Additional HoD

Date of appointment

Name & Designation of the officers

Consultancy committee of key stake holders for advice on suo-motu disclosure

Dates from which constituted

Name & Designation of the officers

Committee of PIOs/FAAs with rich experience in RTI to identify frequently sought information under RTI

Dates from which constituted

Name & Designation of the Officers

6. Information Disclosed on own Initiative

S. No.

Item

Details of disclosure

Remarks/ Reference Points (Fully met/partially met/ not met- Not applicable will be treated as fully met/partially met)

6.1

Item / information disclosed so that public have minimum resort to use of RTI Act to obtain information

 

The Consulate’s website has the relevant information which is updated on a regular basis.

6.2

Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) is followed (released in February, 2009 and included in the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedures (CSMOP) by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions, Govt. Of India)

Whether STQC certification obtained and its validity.

Does the website show the certificate on the Website?

 

Transparency audit of Disclosures under Section 4 of the RTI Act by the Public authorities