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INFORMATION ABOUT THE HIGH COMMISSION, REQUIRED UNDERSECTION 4(1)(B) OF THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005
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(i)
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The particulars of its organization, functions and duties:
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India and Australia established diplomatic relations in the pre-Independence period, with the establishment of India Trade Office in Sydney in 1941.
High Commission of India is headed by High Commissioner and has following Wings: (i) Administration Wing, (ii) Consular Wing, (iii) Commerce &Economic Wing, (iv) Political Wing, (vi) Defence Wing and(vii) Information wing
The functions of the High Commission inter alia, include political and economic cooperation, trade and investment promotion, cultural interaction, press and media liaison, scientific cooperation in bilateral and multilateral contexts, Indian diaspora related issues etc.
High Commission functions within the purview of business allocated to the Ministry of External Affairs under the Government of India’s Allocation of Business Rules and Transaction of Business Rules
Vision: to implement the foreign policy objectives of the Ministry of External Affairs;
Mission : to enhance the friendly relations between India and Australia;
Key objectives: Political and economic cooperation, Trade and Investment promotion, cultural interaction, press and media liaison, scientific-cooperation, welfare of Indian community members.
Organization Chart
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(ii)
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The powers and duties of its officers and employees:
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High Commission of India is headed by the High Commissioner and has the following wings:.
(i) Administration Wing, (ii) Consular Wing, (iii) Commerce &Economic Wing, (iv) Political Wing, (vi) Defence Wing and(vii) Information wing. The High Commission functions within the purview of 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 and Financial powers are exercised by the High Commissioner and Head of Chancery. DDO powers are exercised as per procedure.
General Administrative powers are derived from IFS (PLCA) Rules, as amended from time to time.
Financial powers of the Officers of the High Commission of India have been detailed in the Delegated Financial powers of the Government of India’s Representatives Abroad.
Other powers and duties are derived from Passport Act and Rules, Visa and Consular manuals, RTI Act. GFR and other central govt. rules and regulations are also applicable.
The Officers of the Embassy function under the guidance and supervision of the High Commissioner.
Click here to see allocation of Work among various wings and India-based personnel of the High Commission.
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(iii)
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The procedure followed in the decision making process, including channels of supervision and accountability:
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Decisions are taken under the instruction and supervision of the High Commissioner.
High Commissioner is the final decision making authority.
IFS (PLCA) Rules, Delegated Financial Powers of the Government of India’s Representative abroad, Passport Act and Rules, Visa and Consular Manuals, RTI Act, Passport Manual, General Financial Rules and other Central Government Rules are also applicable.
Each official is responsible for the work allotted to him for correctness of rules and regulations and analysis of facts under the guidance and supervision of Wing officer with overall supervision of High Commissioner.
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(iv)
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The norms set by it for the discharge of its functions:
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Norms are set under the instruction and supervision of the High Commissioner.
The functions of the High Commission inter alia include political, economic cooperation, trade and investment promotion, cultural interaction, education, press and media liaison, scientific cooperation, welfare of Indian community etc. Services offered: Consular, Passport and Visa service, responding to trade queries, promotion of economic and commercial trade, exhibitions, etc.
There are numerous procedures, guidelines and regulations applicable to different functions and services rendered by the Mission.
Various forms and procedure to obtain the services have been given on the website of the Mission.
There are various mechanism in place for the redressal of grievances including by directly contacting the Mission and/or through portals like Madad or emails, etc.
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(v)
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The rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records, held by it or under its control or used by its employees for discharging its functions:
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IFS PLCA rules and annexuresDelegated Financial Powers of Government of India's Representatives abroad Rules
Passport Act
Manuals on office Procedures.
Consular and Visa Manuals
General Financial Rules,
Compendium of Rules on Local Staff, Flag Code, Car Code, FR/SR, Service Rules, Income Tax Rules
Other Central Government Rules and manuals published by Central Government.
Transfers are done by the Ministry of External Affairs
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(vi)
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A statement of the categories of documents that are held by it or under its control:
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Classified documents/files relating to India’s external relations, Unclassified documents/files including joint statements, declarations, agreements and MoUs, Correspondence with the various Ministries/Departments of Australian Government, Passport and consular services application forms, Service documents of officials Head of Wings are the custodian of documents and files pertaining to their wings.
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(vii)
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The particulars of any arrangement that exists for consultation with, or representation by, the members of the public in relation to the formulation of its policy or implementation thereof:
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High Commission of India functions within the norms of India’s foreign policy formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs. Policy is implemented by the High Commission under the guidance and supervision of the High Commissioner. High Commission interacts with representatives of think tanks,Indian Associations, academic community and others.
There are no Boards or Councils at the High Commission. Different committees as prescribed are constituted from time to time.
Constitution of Purchase Committee
Constitution of Committee to deal with the cases of Sexual Harassment at the work place
Different committees of the Mission do not have any power. Functions : Purchase committee recommends on the office purchase above INR 25000, Committee for Indian community Welfare Fund recommends for use of funds for welfare of Indian community, Official Language promotion committee recommends on promotion of Hindi language in official working etc.
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(viii)
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A statement of the boards, councils, committees and other bodies consisting of two or more persons constituted as its part or for the purpose of its advice, and as to whether meetings of those boards, councils, committees and other bodies are open to the public, or the minutes of such meetings are accessible for public:
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High Commission interacts regularly with representatives of think tanks, Indian community, academic community and others.
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(ix)
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A directory of its officers and employees:
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Click here
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(x)
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The monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and employees, including the system of compensation as provided in its regulations:
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A statement of monthly remuneration is at Annex-I
As per the Government of India notifications from time to time.
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(xi)
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The budget allocated to each of its agency, indicating the particulars of all plans, proposed expenditures and reports on disbursements made:
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The Budget figures for the current financial year are given in the statement at Annex-II
Monthly Cash Account and Pregressive Expenditure Statement is submitted each month to the Chief Controller of Accounts, Ministry of External Affairs.
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(xii)
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The manner of execution of subsidy programmes, including the amounts allocated and the details of beneficiaries of such programmes:
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High Commission of India does not have any subsidy programme.
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(xiii)
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Particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorizations granted by it:
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No concessions/permits are granted by the High Commission of India.
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(xiv)
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Details in respect of the information, available to or held by it, reduced in an electronic form:
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The High Commission’s website has the required information.
High Commission also makes available to interested individuals varius CDs and DVDs containing information on India, its people and culture.
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(xv)
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The particulars of facilities available to citizens for obtaining information, including the working hours of a library or reading room, if maintained for public use:
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Interested individuals can borrow books containing information on India, its people and culture from the High Commission Library
Officer in-charge of library: Ms. Ruchika Jain, First Secretary (PICE)
Tel: 02-62254913, Email: pic.canberra@mea.gov.in
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(xvi)
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The names, designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers:
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CPIO: Mr. Ashok Mandal, Second Secretary (HOC),
Tel: 02-62254940
E-mail: hoc.canberra@mea.gov.in
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(xvii)
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Such other information as may be prescribed and thereafter update these publications every year:
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The High Commission’s website has information which is updated on a regular basis.
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(xviii)
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Local tours undertaken by High Commission officers.
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Domestic tour details – Click here
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(xix)
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Programmes to advance understanding of RTI
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Ministry conducts sessions from time to time.
DOPT publishes the RTI guidelines and circulates to all concerned.
CPIO has already undergone DOPT online course on RTI.
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(xx)
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Transfer Policy And Transfer Orders
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Transfers are done by the Ministry of External Affairs
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(xxi)
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CAG and PAC paras and the action taken reports (ATRs) after these have been laid on the table of both houses of the Parliament.
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No such para forms the part of report laid before the Parliament
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(xxii)
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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
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Policy formulation lies with Ministry of External Affairs
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(xxiii)
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Arrangements for consultation with or representation by – (a) Members of the public in policy formaulation/ policy/ implementation, (b) Day &time allotted for visitors, (c) Contact details of Imformation &Facilitation Counter (IFC) to provide publications frequently sought by RTI applicants
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RTI applicants do not seek any such documents normally
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(xxiv)
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Are the details of policies/ decisions, which affect public, informed to them
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Policy making lies with Ministry of External Affairs. All policies and decisions concerning citizens are put in public domain through social media.
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(xxv)
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Dissemination of information widely and in such form and manner which is easily accessible to the public
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High Commission of India gives wide publicity to all such matters concerning citizens through website and other social media platforms.
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(xxvi)
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Form of accessibility of information manual/ handbook
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High Commissionof India does not maintain any such handbook.
Information concerning functioning of High commission of India and services provided is available on its website (www.hcicanberra.gov.in)
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(xxvii)
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Particulars of facilities available to citizen for obtaining information
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Citizens can avail consular and commercial services through electronic means including contacting by telephone in emergency. Information pertaining to Commerce, Consular and Cultural wings in available in public domain. Working hours of the facility is from 09.00 to 17.30 hrs. Contact person &details are available at https://www.hcicanberra.gov.in
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(xxviii)
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Grievance redressal mechanism
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Grievances may be redressed through contacting by telephone, email, post, Madad and CP Gram portals.
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(xxix)
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Details of applications received under RTI and information provided
in FY 2021-22
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In FY 2021-22 RTI applications have been received and responses sent.
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(xxx)
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Details of all contracts entered into including name of the contractor, amount of contract and period of completion of contract
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Residential accommodations for Officers/officials leased through contracts.
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(xxxi)
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Receipt &Disposal of RTI applications &appeals
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Since April 2021 RTI applications have been received are disposed.
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(xxxii)
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Replies to questions asked in the Parliament
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Ministry of External Affairs is responsible for Parliament Questions
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(xxxiii)
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Name &details of (a) current CPIOs &FAAs, (b) Earlier CPIO &FAAs from 1.1.2015
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Current CPIO - Shri Ashok Mandal, Second Secretary (HOC), Current FAA - : Ms. Ruchika Jain, First Secretary (PIC)
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(xxxiv)
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Item / information disclosed so that public have minimum resort to use of RTI Act to obtain information
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Much information is already disclosed. Number of RTI applications are minimal.
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(xxxv)
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Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) is followed
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High Commission of India, Canberra’s website is STQC certified
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