High Commission of India

Canberra, Australia

Contact details of officers for addressing applications under RTI Act, 2005:

Public Information Officer:Mr. Mukesh Kumar Ambasta, Second Secretary (Political), High Commission of India, No. 3 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600. Email: pol.canberra@mea.gov.in

Appellate Authority: B. Sriram, First Secretary (Eco & Com), High Commission of India, No. 3 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600. [E-Mail: ecom.canberra@mea.gov.in]

It may be noted that information provided under the Act is available to citizens of India only. Applications should be submitted along with documentary proof of Indian Citizenship (like copy of first two and last page of the passport.) Information about the Act is available at http://rti.gov.in/

As per section 6(1) (a) of the RTI Act, 2005, a person who desires to obtain information under the Act is required to submit the application to the Information Officer of the “concerned public authority”. Applicants are, therefore, advised to send their requests under the RTI Act to the High Commission only when the subject matter can reasonably be presumed to pertain to the High Commission. While section 6(3) provides for the transfer of an application by a receiving PIO to another [concerned] PIO, this is clearly meant to cover situations where the application is addressed to a PIO on the assumption that it has been directed to the concerned PIO. Where the information required obviously does not pertain to the High Commission, the application may be addressed to the concerned PIO directly.

Applications seeking information under the Act may be sent along with the prescribed fee in Australian Dollars, equivalent to Indian Rs.10/- through Bank cheque (demand draft) or Money Order made in favor of "High Commission of India, Canberra".

Applications seeking information under the RTI Act, 2005 may be sent along with the prescribed fee in Australian Dollars, equivalent to Indian Rs.10/- in cash/cheque or demand draft drawn in favour of High Commission of India, Canberra. [The rate of exchange for a particular month may be ascertained from the High Commission].

Facility of e-IPO for payment of fee under the RTI Act, 2005
The Department of Personnel and Training and Department of Posts have launched a service called e-IPO (Electronic Indian Postal Order) to enable Indian Citizens residing in India or abroad to purchase an Indian Postal Order electronically by paying fee on-line through e-Post Office Portal i.e. http://www.epostoffice.gov.in, to enable them to seek information under the RTI Act, 2005.  It can also be accessed through India Post Website, i.e. www.indiapost.gov.in.  An e-IPO so generated must be used only once with an RTI application.
The User needs to get himself registered at the website. He has to select the Ministry/Department from whom he desires to seek the information under the RTI Act and the e-IPO so generated can be used to seek information from that Ministry/Department only. A printout of the e-IPO is required to be attached with the RTI application. If the RTI application is being filed electronically, e-IPO is required to be attached as an attachment. For more details please visit the website http://www.epostoffice.gov.in. 
This facility is only for purchasing an Indian Postal Order electronically. All the requirements for filing an RTI application as well as other provisions regarding eligibility, time limit, exemptions, etc. will continue to apply.

NFORMATION ABOUT THE HIGH COMMISSION, REQUIRED UNDERSECTION 4(1)(B) OF THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005

(i)

The particulars of its organization, functions and duties:

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

(ii)

The powers and duties of its officers and employees:

Administrative and financial powers are derived from Fundamental Rules, Supplementary Rules and other Service Rules, as amended from time to time.
Other powers are derived from the Passport Act of India. 

The Officers of the High Commission function under the guidance and supervision of the High Commissioner.

(iii)

The procedure followed in the decision making process, including channels of supervision and accountability:

Decisions are taken under the instruction and supervision of the High Commissioner.

(iv)

The norms set by it for the discharge of its functions:

Norms are set under the instruction and supervision of the High Commissioner.

(v)

The rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records, held by it or under its control or used by its employees for discharging its functions:

The High Commission of India follows various service and financial rules prescribed the Government of India, which include Delegated Financial Powers of Rules,
General Financial Rules, Passport Act, Manuals on Office Procedures and other relevant Central Government Rules and manuals published by GoI.

(vi)

A statement of the categories of documents that are held by it or under its control:

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

(vii)

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:

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 Indian Associations, academic community and others.

(viii)

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:

NA

(ix)

A directory of its officers and employees:

A directory is available on the website. 

(x)

The monthly remuneration received by each of its officers and employees, including the system of compensation as provided in its regulations:

As per Orders issued by the Government of India from time to time.

(xi)

The budget allocated to each of its agency, indicating the particulars of all plans, proposed expenditures and reports on disbursements made:

As per Orders issued by the Government of India from time to time.

(xii)

The manner of execution of subsidy programmes, including the amounts allocated and the details of beneficiaries of such programmes:

NA

(xiii)

particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorizations granted by it:

NA

(xiv)

details in respect of the information, available to or held by it, reduced in an electronic form:

The High Commission’s website has the required information.

(xv)

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:

Interested individuals can borrow books containing information on India, its people and culture from the High Commission Library

(xvi)

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

CPIO: Mr. Mukesh Kumar Ambasta, Second Secretary  (Pol), E-mail: pol.canberra@mea.gov.in 

(xvii)

such other information as may be prescribed and thereafter update these publications every year:

The High Commission’s website has information which is updated on a regular basis.