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 | Name and address of the Organization | Consulate General of India, Sydney Level One, Building 265, Castlereagh Street Sydney, NSW 2000 |
| [Section 4(1)(b)(i)] | |||
| Head of the organization | The Consulate General of India is headed by the Consul General and has following sections/Wings: | ||
| Vision, Mission and Key objectives | (i) Chancery Wing (ii) Consular Wing (iii) Commercial Section (iv) SVCC & Information Wing | ||
| Function and duties | A Consul ranking officer supervises the functioning of each Wing. | ||
| Organization Chart | 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., NSW and SA. | ||
| 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 | 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. |
| [Section 4(1) (b)(ii)] | Power and duties of other employees | General Administrative powers are derived from the Indian Foreign Service (Pay Leave and Compensatory Allowances etc) Rules, 1961, as amended from time to time. | |
| Rules/ orders under which powers and duty are derived and | Financial powers are exercised in accordance with the guidelines stipulated in the Delegated Financial Powers of the Government of India’s Representatives Abroad. | ||
| Exercised | 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. | ||
| Work allocation | The Officers of the Consulate function under the guidance and supervision of the Consul General. | ||
| 1.3 | Procedure followed in decision making process | 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. |
| [Section 4(1)(b)(iii)] | 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 | Nature of functions/ services offered | The functions are discharged in accordance with the norms as formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs. |
| [Section 4(1)(b)(iv)] | 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 | 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 |
| [Section 4(1)(b)(v)] | Delegated Financial Powers of Government of India’s Representatives abroad | ||
| The Passport Act | |||
| List of Rules, regulations, instructions manuals and records. | Visa Manual | ||
| Acts/ Rules manuals etc. | Manuals on Office Procedures. | ||
| Transfer policy and transfer orders | Other Rules and manuals published by the Central Government. | ||
| 1.6 | Categories of documents held by the authority under its control | Categories of documents | Classified documents/files relating to India’s external relations and other sensitive issues. |
| [Section 4(1)(b) (vi)] | (ii) Custodian of documents/categories | Unclassified documents/files including, agreements and Memoranda of Understanding; Passport, visa and consular services applications. | |
| 1.7 | Boards, Councils, Committees and other Bodies constituted as part of the Public Authority | 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. |
| [Section 4(1)(b)(viii)] | 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 | Name and designation | A directory is given at Annexure -I. |
| [Section 4(1) (b) (ix)] | Telephone , fax and email ID | ||
| 1.9 | Monthly Remuneration received by officers & employees including system of compensation | List of employees with Gross monthly remuneration | A statement of monthly remuneration is at Annexure-II. |
| [Section 4(1) (b) (x)] | System of compensation as provided in its regulations | ||
| 1.10 | Name, designation and other particulars of public information officers | Name and designation of the public information officer (PIO), Assistant Public Information (s) & Appellate Authority | Central Public Information Officer:- Mr. Ramneek Singh Vice Consul E-Mail : cons1[dot]sydney[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in First Appellate Authority Mr. Niravkumar B Sutariya (From 18.01.2024) Consul & HOC E-Mail: hoc[dot]sydney[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in |
| [Section 4(1) (b) (xvi)] | |||
| Address, telephone numbers and email ID of each designated official. | Level 1, 265 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia Tel: +61-2-9223-2702 Fax: +61-2-9231-2299 E-Mail: cons1[dot]sydney[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in, hoc[dot]sydney[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in |
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| 1.11 | No. Of employees against whom Disciplinary action has been proposed/ taken | No. of employees against whom disciplinary action has been | NIL |
| (Section 4(2)) | Pending for Minor penalty or major penalty proceedings | ||
| Finalised for Minor penalty or major penalty proceedings | |||
| 1.12 | Programmes to advance understanding of RTI | Educational programmes | Time to time the Consulate organizes briefing sessions for the local the Indian Community on miscellaneous Government policies & decisions including RTI |
| (Section 26) | 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 | As formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs from time to time. | |
| [F No. 1/6/2011- IR dt. 15.4.2013] | |||
| 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. | Total Budget for the public authority | The Budget figures for the current financial year are given in the statement at Annexure-III |
| [Section 4(1)(b)(xi)] | 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 | Budget | |
| (F. No. 1/8/2012- IR dt. 11.9.2012) | 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 | 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 | ||
| 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 | Name of the programme of activity | The Consulate General of India does not have any subsidy programme. |
| [Section 4(i)(b)(xii)] | 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 | Concessions, permits or authorizations granted by public authority | No concessions/permits are granted by the Consulate |
| [Section 4(1) (b) (xiii)] | |||
| 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 | Arrangement for consultations with or representation by the members of the public | The Consulate works in close coordination with business associations, think tanks, academicians and also the Indian Association. |
| [Section 4(1)(b)(vii)] | Relevant Acts, Rules, Forms and other documents which are normally accessed by citizens | ||
| [F No 1/6/2011-IR dt. 15.04.2013] | 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 | Publish all relevant facts while formulating important policies or announcing decisions which affect public to make the process more interactive; | Yes. |
| [Section 4(1) (c)] | Policy decisions/ legislations taken in the previous one year | 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 | Use of the most effective means of communication | 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. |
| [Section 4(3)] | Internet (website) | ||
| 3.4 | Form of accessibility of information manual/ handbook | Information manual/handbook available in | |
| [Section 4(1)(b)] | Electronic format | ||
| Printed format | |||
| 3.5 | Whether information manual/ handbook available free of cost or not | List of materials available | |
| [Section 4(1)(b)] | 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 | English | |
| [F No. 1/6/2011-IR dt. 15.4.2013] | Vernacular/ Local Language | ||
| 4.2 | When was the information Manual/Handbook last updated? | Last date of Annual updation | |
| [F No. 1/6/2011-IR dt 15.4.2013] | |||
| 4.3 | Information available in electronic form | 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. |
| [Section 4(1)(b)(xiv)] | Name/ title of the document/record/ other information | ||
| Location where available | |||
| 4.4 | Particulars of facilities available to citizen for obtaining information | 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. |
| [Section 4(1)(b)(xv)] | 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 | |
| Details of applications received under RTI and information provided | As of date, the Consulate does not have any pending RTI application nor any appeal against the information furnished by the Consulate. | ||
| 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 | Annual Report  |
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| 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 for the period 2019-2022 stand furnished in the reports submitted by this Consulate in CIC website. Reports also attached. RTI Details 2019-2023 |
| Details of appeals received and orders issued | |||
| 4.7 | Replies to questions asked in the parliament | Details of questions asked and replies given | NIL |
| [Section 4(1)(d)(2)] | |||
| 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 | The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers: |
| Current CPIOs & FAAs | Central Public Information Officer:- Mr. Ramneek Singh Vice Consul E-Mail : cons1[dot]sydney[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in First Appellate Authority Mr. Niravkumar B Sutariya (From 18.01.2024) Consul & HOC E-Mail: hoc[dot]sydney[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in |
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| Earlier CPIO & FAAs from 1.1.2015 | |||
| 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? | |||
